Customer Reviews

Light Music for Dying People

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like many others, I bought this album because I was a fan of Counting Crows. David Bryson, Counting Crows' guitarist, produced the album, and Adam Duritz, Counting Crows' lead vocalist, sings this album's back-up vocals and co-wrote some lyrics. Also Marty Jones, who played bass for Sordid Humor, is who the Counting Crows song "Mr. Jones" is about.
And David Immergluck, one-time member of Camper Van Beethoven, makes appearances on this CD on slide guitar and bass.
"Light Music for Dying People" may appeal to fans of Counting Crows, but it should be understood that it does not sound like Counting Crows. It sounds great, but it sounds like a less-distortion-filled, more hopeful version of early grunge. It sounds like West Coast rock and roll. It's got tube-amp crunch, jangly and precise fingerpicked electric guitar, feedback, and dark, twisted, ocean-filled, image-filled lyrics. The songs progress into exciting builds, and the vocals sound as if they're sung by a tired-out punk rocker. Adam Duritz's background vocals waft and slide around behind everything, occasionally swelling up almost into duets. His appearances are nice, but this is not his album.
This is Sordid Humor.
In fact, I think the album's best song is one that has no Adam Duritz in it whatsoever, "Private Archipelago."
"Private Archipelago" starts of with the sounds of thunder and a rainstorm, and the clear, sharp but soft guitar (or high bass?) that darts into the first bars of the song seem like extensions of the storm. Then, stampy, minimal drums. Then the song builds into an unrellenting, despairing yet soul-filled force, and the lyrics tell a fascinating story of a strange relationship.
"She's scared of dying...and she wants to keep it that way."
Other great songs include "Helena" with its trotting, stumbling bass and Sordid Humor's trademark crystalline guitar, "Hat Song" with its funky lyrics and swirling guitar (or high bass?), and "Lolita" which perfectly evokes the hottest days of summer.
This is a great album--it gets better with every listen--and it's a shame it's their only one. They recorded a lot more songs though, and they're out there if you search for them on sites like Audio Galaxy.

Wow, not only is this one of my favorite albums still today, but I didn't even know one could buy it here. I was the mastering engineer on this CD, and I'm so happy that so many people enjoyed this. It really is such a shame that this was the only one they did because its amazing. The recording engineer and mixer was Steve Boyer. If anyone get a chance to hear his other work, please do. He's brilliant and brought such a transparant sound to this recording and mix.

I love these songs, and they have gone over very well with my friends. The music on this album is a really strange blend of ska and a sort of pop-folk-rock. Adam Duritz, lead singer for the Counting Crows, is a backup singer on the album, and co-wrote Barbarosa. He went on to make lots of money, while the rest of them are still just normal guys. This really shows you that local bands can hit it big, and then sometimes they cant. Any way that you look at this, the music is really great, and without Duritz they still could have done the same, though he did help I think. Overall, this music is pretty sweet no matter how you look at it, from whatever angle.

I love this CD. I got it because I am a HUGE Counting Crows fan. Some would say a groupie, at times. I have tried to track each and ever album Adam and the boys have ever played/sang on. This just happens to be one of them. I have had it in my car for a while now and played it over and over again. I liked it the first time I heard it and as it grows on me even more, I find something new and different each time I listen. It reminds me a bit of the whole Cracker scene. The only thing I am sad about is that this is the only CD Sordid Humor ever released and besides some producing and behind the scenes work, they have relatively disappeared. Well worth a listen, at any rate.

I found this in the .99 cent bin at a used record store, and was eventually blown away. The often-abstract lyrics and sometimes nearly-ambient instrumentals don't make a strong impression at first, but over time the subtlety reveals itself. I lent my copy to a friend and she refused to return it until I found her another copy (which I did, in the same .99 cent bin I found the original). So, watch those bargain bins for this one!

This album is incredible! there is not many albums that blend such a unique sound and spectacular poetic lyrics. The band Sordid Humor is a bay area band who never made it big, but their music lives on in this album. It also features backup vocals by Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows. Which just goes to show that there are many local bands that never make it big. That doesn't mean they're not just as spectacular. Weather Adam's appearence has anything to do with this albums release is a mystery bu t it is one of the greatest albums of all time. It's simply beautiful.

This was the first CD I played in my car when I finally got the stereo installed, and I thought the music sucked. t seemed trite, cliche, and kind of boring. But then I really listened. I "got to know" the songs, and they really grew on me. The Hat Song is by far my favorite, but all of the music is really good. These guys collaborated with the lead singer of the Counting Crows who can be heard filling in with some background vocals. This is an excellent CD, and worthy of anyone's music library. Do yourself a favor. If you found this CD's site, buy the music. It's well worth it.

I got this CD at a yard sale earlier today for 50 cents. I had not a clue what it was. But, I really LIKE it. Who are these guys? Where are they now? What else have any of them done?