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And the final CD in a whole stack that I've been wearing out, playing it obsessively over and over. But I can't help it, it's just that good!
So, here we have the first full-length CD from Thingy, released back in 1997. So, yes, it's a little dated, and has that embarrassing "punk rawk" writing-words-on-your-fingers thing going on on the cover, but well, all you have to do is listen to it, and the lame cover (and, well, band name for that matter) are forgiven.
These songs are just amazing. Just freaking-amazing. Rob Crow, how do you do it?! I seriously think he's one of the best songwriters around. He creates these hooks that just totally sink into your brain! Whether with Thingy, or with his new project Pinback, he just really sucks you in.
Thingy remind me of the Swirlies trying to be Guided By Voices. Why the Swirlies? 'Cause vocalists Rob and Elea do that quiet, flat harmonizing thing that Damon and Seana did so well. Also, Thingy know how to make lots of noise like our Sneaky Flute friends. And why GBV? Well, this CD has 24 tracks on it, spanning several different styles of music from full-on rockers to folky acoustic tracks. And then there's the quirkiness, like on "Revolution in a Box" where Rob sings "Jedi good/Dark Side bad". (We think Rob likes Star Wars as much as Mike, and that's really saying a lot!)
The most amazing songs to me are the quiet acoustic numbers where their amazing harmonies really stand out. Like the quiet, yet persistent "Honest" and especially the sad, innocent "Rental" where Rob and Elea slowly sing out, "I don't want to move away..."
Some of it even reminds me of the Lemonheads, circa Taang! Records. (Ooh, there's another Swirlies reference, too.) Like the sort-of dated rocker "Homework" , when Rob sings "I wanna play" in a total Dando-way.
All in all, it's lovely, it's rocking, it's fun to listen to! It's good for Pinback fans, to kinda hear what ol' Rob was doing before. He sure was a messed-up depressed guy on this one. But it's still a good listen! (janice.01.02)
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