First solo record from the singer/songwriter of the bands Flop and Pure Joy. The instrumentation is almost exclusively acoustic guitar and voice, with the occasional melotron, string, and vocal harmony showing an affinity ... more »for '60's British rock groups like The Kinks, Small Faces and The Move.« less
First solo record from the singer/songwriter of the bands Flop and Pure Joy. The instrumentation is almost exclusively acoustic guitar and voice, with the occasional melotron, string, and vocal harmony showing an affinity for '60's British rock groups like The Kinks, Small Faces and The Move.
CD Reviews
This album is depressing and beautiful and inspiring.
"I looked everywhere for this album.After hearing about it from Rusty at one of his shows in June,I searched until November for it and it has been more than worth the wait.It has depth and honesty like you rarely find and it has real beauty like you wouldn't believe.I've listened to it to death and it keeps revealing new things to me."Call A Doctor" haunts me and "Black Sunday" couldn't be more bleak.This whole review is coming out wrong....just get a copy and enjoy it because it's amazing."
Romantic and haunting pop from one of Seattle's finest.
Gareth Gaudin (garethgaudin@hotmail | 08/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rusty Willoughby and his bands Flop and Pure Joy have been churning out crunch-pop gems for more than a decade. He has always had a gift for being poignant and cynical at the same time. Never has this been more evident than on his self-titled solo debut. Songs like "In Reverse" and "Here come the Weakened", showcase his admiration but also distrust in humankind. Any fan of heartfelt Beatlesque pop owes it to themselves to hear this record. Buy it and tell your friends."
Brilliant, haunting, indelible...
Gary Bedell (go_orbit@yahoo.com) | Seattle | 07/13/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ex Pure Joy and Flop frontman strips down to a (mostly) acoustic strum and delivers nine brilliant, beautiful pop songs. These are finely crafted, mostly haunting songs, whose rich melodies and prose leave an indelible mark on the psyche. Hands down, absolutely one of the best records of the year."
Gripping, powerfully affecting...
R. Dube | 11/04/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There's this Lou Reed documentary in which Thurston Moore says he read a review of Reed's "Berlin" LP that called it the most depressing record ever made. According to Moore, he ran right out to buy the record because "who wouldn't want to hear that?" Rusty Willoughby's first real solo album is more depressing than "Berlin.""
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1