Search - Amy Rigby :: Till the Wheels Fall Off

A mature, funny album for

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 02/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A longtime fixture on the New York indie-altie/power-pop scene, songwriter Amy Rigby has given the world another little gem with this fine, episodic album. It's not an entirely cohesive work, as she shifts from somewhat dense, introspective rock songs to folkie acoustic numbers and back again... Not that I have a problem with artists who won't limit themselves to one style of music, it's just that the the transitions aren't always that smooth. Nonetheless, in this case the parts are more than the sum of the whole, and a handful of songs on here made this one of my favorite records of 2003. The blisteringly hilarious novelty song, "Are We Ever Gonna Have Sex Again?" made me laugh out loud when I first heard it: it's the all-too-familiar tale of the modern-day couple whose erotic life has been curtailed both by busy schedules and everyday routine; the tart, too-true lyrics and Rigby's dead-on delivery make this an instant classic. Other favorites include the opening track, "Why Do I," a power-pop exploration of the neurotic impulse towards self-sabotage, and "Don't Ever Change," a touching embrace of normalcy and imperfection in those we love, and in acceptance of the quirky flaws of the world at large. As with the other two songs, it's Rigby's wry, gentle, deft slice-of life observations that make this tune such a winner. Overall, this album shows its greatest appeal in its sense of maturity and un-corny wisdom; it's nice to see that as Baby Boom indie-rockers age and mellow out that they can still make such great music."

Great for grownups

The Hon. Tom McCall | 02/10/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As another New Yorker transplanted to Nashville, I have a special little place in my musical heart for Amy Rigby. I can't compare this CD to her other recordings, as it's the only one I've heard, but it's a good listen. There are a couple of great songs, and the rest is, well, just fine. It's too good to be called filler, but it a little lackluster half the time.The first track uses wordplay seemingly for its own sake. Maybe that's the influence of being around southern songwriters, who do delight in words, as do I. But the protagonist who likes to pull wings off butterflies is unsympathetic. The title track is lyrically uninteresting, and I can't imagine why it's been singled out, but "Shopping Around" is a good relationship song. "Don't Ever Change", on the other hand, is absolutely breathtaking - I can't imagine anyone with a heart being able to listen to it without eyes getting a little moist. "Are We Ever Gonna Have Sex Again" is hilarious and right on target, but I think the reviewer who said it was hard to write a funny song that isn't just a novelty had it right - this song is a (fun) novelty. I'm going to go out on a limb and make an allusion to another semi-obscure middle-aged Nashville songwriter who may be familiar to some Amy Rigby fans. I'd compare this song to Marshall Chapman's "Alabama Bad", not to her "Call the Lamas". It makes you laugh, but doesn't get to the heart of the matter."The Deal" is a nice enough whimsical song about the notion of having a relationship without having to compromise, "O'Hare" is a decent song, and "How People Are" is a low point on the CD. But "Even The Weak Survive" is, to me, a brilliant song, and one of a few reasons to buy this CD. The rest of the songs are fine, some, like "Last Request", are better than others, and some sound tailormade for some country star to re-record them.Overall, I recommend the CD as a chance to hear a good songwriter with a mature viewpoint, a delightful wry sense of humor, and a sometimes-waifish voice that can express the most profound emotions with pure unadorned achiness. I love her voice. There is some truly great songwriting here, the recording is professional, and the instrumentation tasteful. The only drawback is the uneven quality in the songwriting. It never dips below mediocre, and rarely below pretty good, but several, if not half of these songs could easily have been omitted."

Late nights with NPR

The Hon. Tom McCall | Oregon transplant | 12/04/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard of Amy Rigby when she was interviewed by NPR; I was driving along I-80. Her album seemed like the perfect soundtrack to driving alone, at night. She so impressed me with the candor of her songs. I bought this album and have not regretted it in the least. 'Don't Ever Change,' 'Break Up Boots,' and 'Even the Weak Survive' continue to be favorites that I'll listen to on repeat, over and over. Her lyrics are smart, snappy, and insightful. I've always been a sucker for lyrics. Rigby's voice sometimes waxes thin and reedy, but her lyrics more than make up for what might be musically lacking."