|
The iTMS and other music download services, both legal and not, have
been accused of killing the album. "Why would anyone buy an album,"
the argument goes, "if they can pick and choose jus the tracks they
want?" Makes sense, especially when so much of what's on albums is
filler. On the other hand, there are some albums that are conceived
and developed as more than a holder for a collection of tracks, where
order matters and each piece builds to tell a story. And not just
theater and film soundtracks, which themselves often mess up the order
of their contents to fit somebody's idea of a higher esthetic, or more
likely to fit the contents on an ancient LP or slightly less ancient
cassette.
The Return of the Clerkenwell Kid has some of that feel. The
songs on here vary in style and influences. But within that
randomness a set of common themes emerge, are explored and then go
back into hiding. There's a method to the madness. And it's fun to
listen to while you try to figure out what the method is, and whether
it too is mad.
|
|
