Search - Mary Lou Lord, Sean Na Na :: Split

A Perfect Pairing

01/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though Sean Na Na and Mary Lou Lord don't perform together here, this split-EP was a great idea. Both artists sing tales of heartbreak and regret cleverly disguised -- at least at first -- by accessible pop hooks.If you haven't heard "Princess and the Pony," you're missing one of the best songs of all time. In fact, if I were exiled to a deserted island with the option of bringing only two singles, I would select Jim Carroll's "People Who Died" and Sean Na Na's "Princess and the Pony."Mr. Na Na's fantasy funeral, he insists on "Princess," would consist of a roomful of revelers drinking whisky and shaking their ... around his casket while listening to "Wire." With its gallows humor and contagious hooks, this track alone -- the misfit anthem of the year -- easily earns the album on which it's found a solid five stars!Singing Lucky Jeremy's "My Old France," Sean Tillmann is able to wrap his sardonic lips around great deadpan lines, like "Heard any good drummer jokes lately?" Both "Stretch Marks" and "My Old France" have a scratchy, lo-fi sound that may prove to be too much for those preferring studio slickery, but I find the touch endearing. ...And Mary Lou Lord's tracks, of course, are none too shabby either. "Aim Low" is as good as anything she's ever released, and you'll be humming it for days. On the EP's first track, "Bang Bang," Lord adopts a coy, pseudo-rockabilly style. It's playful and fun, even if it comes perilously close to novelty.With six tracks, a low asking price and a killer album cover, I can only recommend that you give this one a try.Come for the Lord, but stay for the Princess."

A fine EP with double the freshness

cornelius_ape | MN | 02/23/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Both artists have very pleasant voices and great song writing skills...Princess and the Pony is one of the best songs in years and is a local hit"

Short but sweet

BH4378 | Studio City | 05/25/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"As a big fan of Mary Lou's this album is a pleasent treat to tide fans over until her next proper release. "Aim Low" (written by longtime friend Nick Saloman) is a great piece of jangle-pop and one of Mary Lou's finest tracks."