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A sparcely arranged album consisting of Joe Pernice's quiter more contemplative moods. Joe rarely sounds happy and this is no exception. It's beauty consists in a stunning grasp of melody and the way he takes his time and ekes out every emotional note with his breathy vocals. It goes without saying that the lyrics are intelligent and effecting. On Hundred Dollar Pocket he muses 'Do you ever wonder where I am right now' before resigning to the fact that 'somebody else is loving you'. Every phrase, every vocal inflection is played like a virtuso violin. The songs seem to writen to express a distance from people like someone looking back on broken relationships having taken time out from the world to regain some strength as in the cover of Joy Division's Leave Me Alone. If you want a more upbeat pop sound try The Pernice Brothers, a lusher more country style can be found with The Scud Mountain Boys, but if you want one of the most perfect quiet, melodic pop albums I've ever heard then listen to Chappaquiddick Skyline. |
