Customer Reviews

Bon Bon Lifestyle

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just delved up this cd from the bottom of my collection, It really brings back memories. Try and look for it somewhere it's a great album.

I've owned this one for years and it's still one of my favorites. A great mellow album you shouldn't pass up.

This ain't the Breeders. While Josephine Wiggs was once the bassist in that band, her sound in her first (and only) solo album is very different -- mellower, more languid and liquid. Her collection of murky pop, "Bon Bon Lifestyle," only makes you regret that she didn't do more.

It opens with the strummy, gentle "Make Me Feel Like Doris Day," and is followed by a collection of odd ends and bits: the jazzy piano of "Downward Facing Dog," angular percussion rock, ethereal pop music, ominous instrumentals, and even an electric organ overlaid over a basic piano-pop melody.

Even when it's rockin' out, the Josephine Wiggs Experience never seems to move too fast -- it's always a bit downtempo, mellow and sleepy. It may take a few listens to grow on you, but then Wiggs's subtle music and equally subtle singing start to really sink in.

Speaking of sinking in, Wigg's vocals are sunk in pretty far; her voice is fairly good, but often it is reduced to a murmur and sunk deep into the music. Her songwriting is the one weak link. It's not so much bad as... well, simplistic. Taken all together, they seem to paint a portrait of heat, cowboys and dusty roads.

But the music itself is pretty strong -- Wiggs plays bass, drums and guitar, doing an excellent job with each. And Jon Mattock provides even more musical diversity, with some truly outstanding keyboards and bongos. These instruments manage to weave together into slow, melodious, somewhat murky music, only broken by the occasional bursts of sharper percussion.

The Josephine Wiggs Experience only produced one album, but at least "Bon Bon Lifestyle" was a good one. Definitely worth getting -- just don't expect a carbon copy of the Breeders.

'Head to Toe' was written by Josephine Wiggs...thus, the Breeders are covering the Josephine Wiggs Experience on their [the Breeders'] Safari EP =)

Dig It,
dustin

'Head to Toe' was written by Josephine Wiggs...thus, the Breeders are covering the Josephine Wiggs Experience on their [the Breeders'] aptly named 'Head to Toe' EP =)

Dig It,
dustin

I found this completely by accident at local record store, and wasn't sure what I'd be listening to. I was pleasantly surprised. Her voice takes some getting used to, but this disc really grew on me. I love the cover of the Breeders' "Head to Toe", and the instrumentals are cool and mellow. A lot critics said this record never gets beyond cool and mellow, but I suspect they were waiting for Kim Deal to come out and sing. Josephine's a talented lady, and her music will grow on you.