Customer Reviews

Golden Delicious

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

3.5 Stars (rounded up)

The vast majority of Mike Doughty's fan base is well aware of his former career as the voice of Soul Coughing, the pioneering funky alt-hip-hop group that rode the post-grunge alternative wave to cult status during the 1990s. Their first album, Ruby Vroom, was an instant classic, full of energy, grit and a cuttingly unique style that brought nerdy/abstract poetry together with a funky beat. After a strong follow-up (Irresistable Bliss) the band released one more effort, El Oso, before disbanding. While boasting a similar sound and feel to the first two efforts, Oso was an odd-man-out among the band's catalog. It was still funky, fun and abstract but the band seemed to be running out of ideas. The lyrics were not as clever, the band sounded obsessed with current trends in electronica, and a new slicker production style ultimately marred the album. It's still a fun listen but it doesn't get nearly as many spins on my player as the first two albums do.

I am thinking that Golden Delicious is kinda-sorta Mike Doughty's solo El Oso. Yeah it's Mike, it's funky and fun, on the surface it sounds pretty similar to the last record (the superb Haughty Melodic) even as it takes one more step away from the rawness of Skittish and Rockity Roll (his two heartfelt early solo EPs). Yet on further listens, I find that this one lacks some of the depth of Haughty as well as the strength of the songwriting. Haughty is a virtual classic, all of the tracks are memorable (at least to me) and heartfelt. Some sound plaintive, others speak about some newfound spiritual awakening, and it's all done in such a way as to seem believable and true. It was a progression - still funky, yet also deep. This album strips away the depth for what sounds more like dance tracks. Fun yes, but I'd rather hear about the Gray Ghost than blasting Young Jeezy in a parking lot. I thought Mike had moved past that. The addition of a slicker production style also takes us backwards towards the tail end of Soul Coughing's career, and like El Oso it does not serve Mike well. It strikes me as an attempt to cover up some of the album's weaknesses. It's no surprise that the best song here is "27 Jennifers," a track originally recorded during the Rockity Roll sessions. Is Mike running out of ideas?

Now this all may seem a bit harsh and that's not what I'm going for. In fact I enjoy this album very much and it is growing on me. I just hate to see someone who has so much potential to grow artistically take a step backwards, albeit a small one. Better luck next time Mike, even though you are just a little bit off track.

This is a response review, I had to chime in.

I've listened to Mike Doughty's music for the past long while, and the static, funky, well-spoken foundation of his tunes that are a foundation for all of his work are alive and well in Golden Delicious. With each album he chooses different designs and interiors, and ultimately ends up with a different 'house': Skittish when it was in blueback was toned, raw and heartbreaking; Haughty was bubbling and crisp; and I think Golden Delicious is glowing, a little slacker rock vibe sneaking in there, and it has this milky warmth to it. It is comfortable, and yet challenging. His sound for this album, in my humble opinion, could be filed next or near to Sam Roberts, DMB, maybe even a little Rob Dickinson for good measure.

The sound of GD is definitely fuller and rounder than his previous albums, and I would say then, by definition, is a little slicker. But the vibe, the tone of the music, are still there. I think its nice to hear the progression along to a medium-ish-bigger-ish rock.

My only completely useless feedback piece for the album is regarding the use of non-words as rhythm-makers. I love the parumpums, I love the hand claps they were a good balance. But the NANAS! TOO MANY NANAS!*

For those that might need a breakdown of what each song is like - here is my slightly poetic take. Sometimes I feel that writing about music is like dancing about poetry.

Fort Hood - is almost a protest song, but swiftly veiled
Blue Dress- uplifting, pure hedonistic pleasure
More Bacon - makes me super excited for MD's NEXT album, i think it will be a mashup of live and DJ stuff.
Wednesday - swooning drifter of a song (you can get lost in this one)
27 Jennifers- I'm biased, I saw the video first, and it rocks.
I Wrote a Song about Your Car - this reminds me of a soft serve vibe.
I got the drop on you - this is VERY reminiscent of earlier, stripped down works. very low key, just as emotional.
Nectarine- again, fresh, funky, and about girls.
Navigating by the stars at night - I love this song. But the nanas. Dammit.

So, I can see how some may appreciate different albums for the different reasons, but it isn't like Mike has betrayed anyone with this album. It is soft, patient, confident. I can't see how anyone wouldn't enjoy the songs, but there are some out there.

*Just kidding. Kind of.

Mike Doughty has continued over the years putting out his own solo albums after his band Soul Coughing broke up. He has toured steadily and sold his solo material on homemade CD-R's. You have to give him credit for that alone. So he has gone to being in a full band with Soul Coughing to a solo more acoustic type of sound, then now with this release back to a more "full" band sound.

He adds more instruments in songs like "Nectarine (part one)" especially adding tinkling keys, funkier bass tones and assorted effects, giving the album a different sound than what you'd expect from Doughty and Soul Coughing. Yes it does have his trademark vocals that are on the nasal-y side, which I happen to love, but the change in vibe is kinda nice. It is a good background music album to put on, which is what I did with his solo albums.

Mike Doughty can still write memorable lyrics along with solid hooks, which can be seen with every song on this album. I can especially see girls dancing when he sings "I just want the girl in the blue dress to keep on dancing..." in all the clubs. With this album he has greatly enhanced his song writing reputation.

There are some really beautiful tracks on Doughty's newest album. "Blue Dress" and "Wednesday" are fantastic, and I really like "I got the Drop on You" too. I was so thirsty for new stuff from him and feel very good about this album. Maybe it'll grow on me more, but I still don't think it quite matches Haughty Melodic, and isn't as beautifully-raw as Skittish. I also agree with other reviewer calling this his most Soul Coughing-est album yet, which I find interesting because you'd think he would continue moving away from that period in his career, but he's returned to it a bit in a surprising way. Oh, and the background music and vocals on this album are top notch.
Mike Doughty is an awesome songwriter and musician, who really excels in building a relationship with his listeners through his blogs and through his live shows. It's part of what really sets him apart and as he continues to build popularity I pray he never strays from that special connection he maintains.

I've been listening to Mike Doughty since the early Soul Coughing days, and have seen him at enough live shows that he may very well think I'm stalking him. As much as I love his performances, enjoy his stage patter, and tend to turn over his lyrics in my mind... I was deeply disappointed by this album. I think that having a band cripples him in a way, and as much as I like the people he tends to work with, it seems like the songs get bogged down in "bandness". I miss the raw fun and somber truth captured in his songs with him solo or with the Doveman. The songs on Golden Delicious aren't as well crafted as previous works.

I'll see him live as much as I can, and I'll always give his new work a shot, but if you aren't a complete-ist, you may want to skip this one. And whether or not you choose to buy this album, be sure to see him play, you won't regret it.

Spent the last hour dancing around like a fool listing to the new tracks, and if that's not the mark of a great album I don't know what is. Mike Doughty just gets better and better, and the new album "Golden Delicious" is exactly that. (Crruunch!) Yum. Can't wait to see the upcoming tour.

Mike Doughty has once again shown that he is a terrific song-writer and musician. He continues to impress with excellent songs like Navigating the Stars at Night, I Just Want the Girl in the Blue Dress to Keep on Dancing and a nice update of 27 Jennifers. Golden Delicious Golden Delicious may not pack the punch of Haughty Melodic Haughty Melodic, but it is a very solid effort. It is obvious that the former frontman for Soul Coughing has a lot more great music in him.

Golden Delicious did not dissappoint. There will be immediate favorites amongst the tracks. However, like any great album, you will discover new favorites the more you listen.

to sum up this record in one word: brilliant!
it really is the best of what doughty does best, only better.
27 jennifers is classic, and this album is as cheerful as it
is meloncoly.....

I had a big ole review, ready to write, overflowing with praise. But, I can't stop listening to this brilliance long enough to type!

In short, it's the proverbial 'home run'!!! If you don't buy this, you must be mad at your ears.