Customer Reviews

12 Haunted Episodes

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Don't want that CD? Give it to me! This album is different from most Graham Parker albums in that it tends to rock less than his usual fare. Instead, Parker has opted for pastoral, personal songs of life and experience. The album is similar to Blood on the Tracks in many ways. It also happens to be Graham's personal favorite.

If you ask me, there are three kinda distinct stages of GP's career (god, I hate that word). The first is his Rumour days, 1976-79, angry young man and all that....the second is his "slick producer days" (1980-1985)where he did some gosh-awful things selling out to the labels, being someone he wasn't. And, most importantly, his "post-Mona Lisa's sister" phase, where he has written his best material.
I just had to post a 5-star review for this one when I saw it averaged 3 stars.....

I've been a fan of the Chairman since the 70s and this album, while bereft of the angry chords, is still filled with rage albeit within the bounds of the most beautiful music GP has ever created. Please have a few listens; you will not be able to put it down. The First Day of Spring might be Parker's greatest creation ever.

I started with Graham Parker in the 90's and had to work backwards and forwards from there. I agree with all of the reviews that state how great his first records were. I agree with the reviews that state how great his recent work is. However, the reviewers got it wrong with this album. It's a great album. I loved it from the first time I heard it.

The problem for some I suspect is that this is not a rock record. But some of the songs are beautiful. One reviewer complained about the flute that was used on the title track. I love the flute on that one. I like to rock out with GP like the best of them, but I like where this record takes me. To me it ranks with his best work.

I bought 12 H.E. the day it came out and I had just started dating my new girlfriend. This album has been in my regular play stack of cds (and I own 100s) ever since largely because its the one my girl always suggests. This album sounds beautiful, plain and simple. For the perfect GP album to put on when the lights are down low and the wine is flowing, put on 12 H.E. and be swept away. This album doesn't rock like Graham's other albums; heck this is his only album I can put on when I go to bed at night! But it sure does roll...and there's a moment in the middle of the song Fly that will blow you away. Proof is in the pudding: My girlfriend is now my fiance and Partner for Life is going to be our wedding song!

TWELVE HAUNTED EPISODES could have been titled GRAHAM PARKER TODAY, as the songs reflect where the artist is at. It is perhaps as laid back as any Parker album I know. "Fly," "See Yourself," "First Day of Spring" and "Partner For Life" play in my head when the CD isn't playing on my stereo. In recent years Graham Parker concerts consist of Graham and a guitar, and no band. That could be one reason for the stripped-down TWELVE HAUNTED EPISODES production values - there will be no missing wall of sound when performing these songs live. By the way, is TWELVE HAUNTED EPISODES the first Graham Parker album to include a picture of Parker without his sunglasses?

First - I have every Parker CD. And mean all the ones from when they first came out (not just those listed on this site.) I love Graham - seen him live three times (whenever he comes through.) BUT - this album is awful. The original reviewer was really on the money (even if he was a man of few words.) This album is wishy-washy, sappy, no urgency at all. Hey - I loved Struck by Lightning which was largely acoustic - but that has some killer songs. This album has nothing going for it. Not one song sticks in the mind.

I dig it out periodically to give it another listen, but honestly - this thing is horrid.