Two Words, One Answer.
Jill Sobule
 Underdog Victorious $18.98 I bought this after I heard "Cinnamon Park" in the mall. It's nice to see this nerdy pseudo-folk singer proving that she can do the hell out of pop music. Before I bought the album, I remember wondering if the whole thing sounded like "Cinnamon Park." I pretty much knew it couldn't. "Joey" is another up-tempo number that comes pretty close. The rest of the album is pretty melancholy. Several songs, such as "Last Line," are as sad and poignant as they come. I guess the closest thing I can compare these songs to is Aimee Mann, but that's an imperfect comparison that doesn't do either woman justice.  Jill Sobule $8.99 Just heard a Jill Sobule CD on the radio, which got me thinking of how great this album is. Most people who know Jill Sobule will know "I Kissed a Girl" from this album, which is a nice novelty song. To me, that is actually a weak point here. The rest of the album showcases her masterful storytelling. She is excellent at combining not only great rhythm and melody, but also placing a nice story, which would stand on it's own, on top of it. She has a unique voice. She stands out and it works well with what she is doing here.  California Years $8.99 Jill Sobule has been writing the kind of tight, catchy songs you can't help but hum--or whistle--or sing to yourself--long after you've heard them. And she's been doing it for years. The new stuff offered here is no different--San Francisco, Nothing To Prove, Where Is Bobbie Gentry--I'm trying to pull out the best songs here, but heck, they're all good. Really good. There isn't a weak track on this recording. Jill's songs can be wickedly satirical, poignant, pointed, subtly hilarious, or broken-hearted (but never cloying or saccharine)--sometimes within the same song. And yes, she "kissed a girl" back when that other singer was still in diapers, but that song, her "big hit," is only representative of her work by it's hooks and wit. It was a pop masterpiece and hugely popular, but it isn't even close to her best work. This is. As an aside, and to demonstrate how much people love Jill Sobule's music, this record was fully funded by HER FANS--not a record company. Many, many average, everyday people sent investments, ultimately raising about $80,000, which was used to record, produce, and publish this record. That's how much people wanted a new Jill Sobule record. They weren't disappointed. The result, produced by legendary rock maestro Don Was, is flawless. Buy it; you won't be disappointed, either. |
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