Labels: post 436
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Bob Nanna is tired. At least he sounds it on his slightly ragged six-tracker. Bob strums a guitar and sings. I’d buy any record that Bob sings on, I admit. He could sing for the worst band in the world, and I’d buy it and pretend it was really good, even if it wasn’t. I’m such a dork. There are some really nice tracks on here, particularly “How A Helicopter Sounds” which is begging for a proper recording by Braid (circa 1998) with some gorgeous strumming and great vocals, bubbling along at a nice pace with backups and isn’t that song title just one that Braid would have used too? I bet he’s been sitting on this tune for a while, too scared to use it with Hey Mercedes. “Give Me Good News” sounds like a sensible Joan of Arc song that Bob sings instead of that Kinsella doof. If you ever want to know someone’s personality, ask them: who is gooder at musics, Bob Nanna or Tim Kinsella? The nice, warm, cuddly person will say Bob, the person who thinks you will be impressed by their taste in music will say Tim.
I rather like the bit during the fifth song where Bob sings “And so I try to sing something meaningful but I’m hitting all the wrong…” (SCREAMS) “Notes”. Yes. The final track on here is a cover of a Lifter Puller song, which intrigued me. I had an LP LP once, it was ok. This track is good too and the lyrics are quite bizarre!
Anyway, whilst this has nothing on it that remotely approaches the magnificence of “Portland Maine and the Pouring Rain”, which is my favourite acoustic song ever, it is still a solid little collection of gentle ditties that covers about 18 minutes and makes for a very pleasant listen. Thank you Bob!
PS – sighworthy pic of Bob in the inlay!!!!! Oh my!