Start Of A Wandalust Saga
author: Iain Clarke
Not so long ago, I would have wholeheartedly have agreed with Carl, but maybe I should point out that recently, I've come to enjoy it far more, and this would actually be a 3.5 star rate if they would allow it. This is a solid debut album with cracking lyrics, interesting tunes and little hint of what was to come. Indeed, some of my friends in the US hail this as Marc's best disc to date. People over the pond, including myself would argue the last one was the best. Whatever, the important point is start here!
Marc's musical journey is every bit as compelling as his lyrics, and is best taken in order. A lot of the songs on here are classic Teamaker. Gabriel with it's longing for some kind of connection in the world, the gorgeous folk-tinged Hand Me Down, the mischeivious Sugar Actress, the quirky First Time Here, the up No Fool My Girl, the warm intimacy of How I Forget and Slamming Every Door, and spacey yet compelling Always Revolution. What's interesting here is the stuff that Marc left behind. The subtle, heartbreaking Minnesota, a tale of a broken home set to an echoing emmpty sound which reflects the story of the singer perfectly. When Sunday Comes sees Marc finger picking over some interesting percussion. The epic All Goes Down Like Water, a dark murky tale of alcoholism and desperation. A lot of the lyrics aren't personal but interseting social comments. The harmonica would soon become redundant. The country-flecked arrangements would fade away. Tellingly, this is the only Teamaker album not to have his hand in the production. This isn't just an album of what is, but more interestingly, also what could have been. Between this and the Eponymous 2003 album, Marc would show that he has changed both musically and physically. Quirky, accoustic and warm. Hitch on here and enjoy the ride.
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Have to have just for 'Hand Me Down' alone!
author: Carl
Don't take this as bad, given out of the 3 bought here this is the weakest it doesn't mean it's not good. Just a songwriter develops along the way and that's what Teamaker has done with the last 2 albums. I am still yet to hear Empress Polecat but given it's an ep I may leave it.
There are indeed truly great tracks that can equal the best from the other 2 albums, I just found myself more distracted when listening to this album, only 2/3's of the songs caught me and the other 1/3 I must have been on the phone or something.
Definite for the collection and also a good place to start when buying Teamaker I would honestly say.
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