City Music

INDIE ROCK

Here’s the fourth solo album from NYC-based singer, guitarist, songwriter Kevin Morby, formerly the front man of The Babies. The music is about life in big cities, particularly in NYC: it’s gritty, a little seedy, both cynical and optimistic, dark at times but ultimately inspiring and vital. All songs written by Morby, except #9. Lyrics are printed inside the cover. RIYL Lou Reed (really!)

No FCC issues.

1 * Mid-slow. Erotic but sad. Eerie organ, electronics, rim taps, breathy voice. (4:51)
2 * Mid-tempo. A statement of (maybe not so likeable) individualism. (3:56)
3 * Very fast. A nod to the Ramones & a lift from Jim Carroll’s “People Who Died.” (1:47)
4 ** Mid-tempo to mid-fast. First half: rhythm guitar & piano. Second half: electric lead guitar and full band. Gathers more and more power as it goes. So very good. (3:17)
5 Slow. Spare, sad lyrics. “Little Wing”-like turn on elec guitar. Female backing vox. (4:13)
6 Female voice reads a short passage from a Flannery O’Conner story. Intro to #7. (0:41)
7 Mid-slow to fast. Simple repeated riff on a bell-like guitar. Few lyrics. Shifts gears into a big rocker. (6:44)
8 ** Mid-tempo. Seeing the world from a spaceship. Ironic. Very Lou Reed. (4:50)
9 Mid-tempo. Cover of ‘70s band, the Germs. Gritty singing, rhythm gtr, drums. (3:33)
10 Slow. Strummed acoustic guitar; a bit of piano. Gentle. Almost folkie. (6:03)
11 ** Mid-tempo. Strummed elec guitar with drums. Hopeful (or ironic) thoughts about Judgement Day. Excellent vocal. Angelic choir in the chorus. Church organ. Fade. (3:52)
12 * Slow. Excellent singer-songwriter ballad. Melancholy. Insistent drum cadence. Quiet guitar and organ. I can imagine Leonard Cohen singing this. (4:20)