Bucketfuls Of Reviews
Assorted Reviews Of Mitch Produced And Otherwise Stuff, Hoisted From The Coming To A Head Dept.
From Issue # 16 (The One From Which The Heavy Karma Article Was Lifted) :
Game Theory : The Big Shot Chronicles
Enigma (Advanced Tape Of Forthcoming LP)
Time was once in a blue moon a record so staggering it left one breathless came along and knocked you off your feet. Well, pop kids, I'm here to tell ya that blue moons are in abundance these days. There are those who will claim that yours truly is over-reacting and that anyone who applies a degree of discrimination will be rewarded only every few months with a truly great record. Well, yah-boo sucks to all those negative narrow-minded stick-in-the-muds.
"The Big Shot Chronicles" is, without doubt, a 100 per cent solid gold 24 carat masterpiece, a record which will slay even the most embittered cynic. There are certain members of this parish who were less than wowed with G.T.'s last vinyl triumph, the splendid "Real Nighttime", and though I can't understand this woeful sin, I'm sure that if the same so-called doyens of taste actually opened their ears then "T.B.S.C." will show them the error of their ways.
Opening with "Here It's Tomorrow" the album comes racing in on a torrent of verbiage so over-powering the listener is forced to pay attention from the first moment. This gives way to "Where You Going Northern" and it's here where Scott Miller's true genius becomes apparent. Aided by Mitch Easter's exquisite production (as always, eh?) the boy wonder delivers a gorgeous vocal performance, matched by an achingly beautiful arrangement on a number so real that only a mirror could reflect sadness so perfectly.
I could give this kind of assessment on each track, y'see there ain't a weak moment throughout. "I've Tried Subtlety" is Scott at his most forceful - this is a man who knows how to state his case, and I for one am completely convinced. "Erica's Word" is about as close as rock music gets to poetry; "Make Any Vows" is as delicious a slice of pop rock as is possible, and then some! "Regenisraen" is hymnal in quality, to the point of making me seriously consider campaigning on it's behalf as a worthy replacement for the Lord's Prayer. Am I making myself clear.
OK bub, I've run through 50 percent of this mind storming album and if you're not convinced by now I guess my powers of persuasion have completely deserted me. Let me just say this - Todd Rundgren's "Couldn't I Just Tell You" which closes the record is such an awesome achievement in terms of stating the TRUE joys of life and love in the most powerful and evocative manner that I'm prepared to say it's the best three minutes to hit vinyl since Dwight Twilley's "Scuba Divers" cut in '82. If all this means nothing to you then I suggest you go back to your TV and fester, just like all the other mindless couch potatoes who reckon rock 'n' roll is just an " enjoyable pastime". Buy or die.
Stuart Batsford
