Search - Robyn Hitchcock :: You & Oblivion

Acoustic Hitchcock part 3

Garry Messick | Boynton Beach, FL USA | 03/24/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is in the same sort of vein as Hitchcock's acoustic masterpieces "Eye" and "I Often Dream of Trains," but not really in the same league. The sound quality is excellent, and considering this collection of mostly previously unreleased songs was recorded over a number of years it's remarkably coherent. Or should I say repetitive? There's a sense of sameyness about this low-key, reflective album that I find a bit tedious. On the other hand, with repeated listenings many of the songs begin to distinguish themselves, particularly "Birdshead," one of Robyn's most beautiful songs ever. All in all a good album for late night listening, but not among his best."

Don't bother unless you're a Hitchcock fanatic

woburnmusicfan | Woburn, MA United States | 12/30/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This 1995 album collects 22 Hitchcock pieces, mostly solo and all without drums, that were recorded between 1981 and 1987. The recordings sound like demos. And if that's the case, it shows good taste by Hitchcock in realizing that these songs just weren't as good as the ones he put onto the albums of that period. Hitchcock includes the traditional song "Polly on the Shore", which Fairport Convention recorded on the album "Nine". The two albums have the same problem: None of the songs are "bad", it all sounds okay WHILE I'm listening to it, but the moment the CDs end all the songs are instantly forgotten. They're not good enough to be memorable. Real Hitchcock diehards will find something here to like, but anyone who isn't already a convert is likely to be bored. My favorite tracks are "Birdshead", which I'd seen Hitchcock play live on the "Globe of Frogs" tour (Peter Buck of REM contributes some rhythm guitar on the track), and "Surgery". The CD booklet gives little info about the album, but includes a long segment of a story written in Hitchcock's usual macabre style.(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)"

Tis brillig

brad lonard | Sydney, Australia | 06/27/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here's a collection of offcuts, demos and odds 'n' sods recorded between 1981 and 1987, mostly just Robyn on acoustic guitar and vocals ... and it's absolutely wonderful. Give it a chance; it's not the kind of record that's all hooks and grabs. No, you need to give it prolonged time on the stereo before it really worms its way into your heart. Hitchcock's lyrics can be whimsical, odd, grotesque, darkly threatening or heartbreakingly simple, often all in the same song. High points: a gorgeous take on the traditional Polly On The Shore; the cheerfully morbid Fiend Before The Shrine; and Birdshead, an overlooked masterpiece, which features R.E.M. guitarist (and Hitchcock fan) Peter Buck. Listen a few times and you'll pick out the gems from the chaff; give it a few more spins and you'll start loving the chaff too."