12 Haunted Episodes

Graham Parker

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 14, 1995)
• Original Release Date: March 15, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Razor & Tie
• ASIN: B000002ZC7
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,396 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
12 Haunted Episodes is yet another good album for Graham Parker, full of some of the best rock-singing this side of Van Morrison, and full of songwriting that never tires of wrestling with contradictions. The paradox that obsesses Parker this time out: How can he be an angry iconoclast and a happily married husband at the same time? On 12 Haunted Episodes, he integrates the two themes into songs which explore the interface between public discontent and private solace. On "Partner for Life," for example, he pledges fidelity to his wife with a raspy ferocity as if battling off all the distractions and temptations of the world at large. "Next Phase" is a lovely soul ballad that describes how a spouse's love can help one through the trials of the workday. Other songs, such as "Force of Nature," "Loverman," and "Pollinate," introduce a rock & roll lust into the context of marriage. Another song, "Disney's America," turns the recent battle over a theme park in Manassas into a fable of lost innocence. Parker is a marvelous singer and songwriter, but he's not the world's best producer. His unimaginative pub-rock arrangements and his bland, dull sound don't do his songs and performances justice. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhere in the middle, February 20, 2006

By	J. Carroll "Jack" (Island Heights,NJ) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Graham Parker has never been the most consistent of aritists. His recordings have ranged from the brilliant to the barely acceptable (for him) and this recording has me split down the middle. Listening to the lyrics and his emotionally charged singing alone, this ranks with his best work. From the forever in love vibe of "Partner for Life" to "Haunted Episodes" with its searching questions about what has been and could be; lyrically this is as interesting as anything Parker has produced. But then take that same "Haunted Episodes" and listen to the wandering flute and casually strumming guitar and you find yourself looking for more energy. This occurs repeatedly where the quality of lyrics and singing don't match with the casual musical style. Some of these songs need a bit of edge and they're not to be found anywhere on this CD. I like it, but it just doesn't stand musically with many of Parker's other works.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More like 12 Great Episodes, December 1, 2004

By	Richard Rimmer "Rusboy2004" (Johnson City,TN,USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wow when I see some of the nasty comments about this CD I have to wonder if they are listening to the same Cd I am.I love this CD,is it my favorite Graham Parker CD no it is not.That would be Squeezing Out Sparks which is one of my top five favorites ever.
That being said there is a lot to said for this release, it is more mellow than his typical release if there is such a thing but it has a drive to it and a great rock track Honest Work which to my ears would have made a great single if he had a label pushing him.
Force of Nature,Disneys America,Haunted Episodes are enough to justify this CD alone but wait there's more Cruel Stage.Fly,Next Phase are all great songs.
This is a CD I have to be in the mood for,it is not a CD to listen to on a road trip but it is a CD when in the mood for it It will get repeat listens to.
Even at Grahams worst he is better than almost anything you will hear on the radio so listen to the samples and then buy this CD and give it several listens before you put it away for something else and you will be very happy that you bought this.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Graham Parker - Intelligent Music Beyond The Norm, October 10, 1998

By	Jason Garland (Athens, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Look, I've got to stick up for Graham and this album. First and foremost if you don't like intelligent song writing AND well crafted pop, you aren't going to like Graham Parker. Fine by me (and him) because Parker suffers no fools. This particular album is probably his most mature outing yet, one filled with beautiful songs that actually do something most songs don't these days: impress you with the authors life and experience. From the extremely haunting opening tune "Partners for Life", one of my favorite love/marriage songs to the bitter observations of "Disney's America" you will not find a better 'full immersion' listening experience than this. I must warn however that this is Parker at his mellowest, far beyond anything he did with the Rumour. Personally, I love this album!