Luxor

Robyn Hitchcock

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 12, 2003)
• Original Release Date: April 21, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Editions Paf
• ASIN: B0000AGWS7
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #148,127 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Following an album with the reunited Soft Boys, the humorously perverse but always melodic Robyn Hitchcock returns to total solo mode on Luxor. Recorded with an acoustic guitar one afternoon in June 2002 as a 50th birthday present to himself (the CD was originally given to the audience at his London birthday gig in March 2003), it's essentially a live recording without an audience. It's also Hitchcock's best and most personal solo album in years. There's still weird stuff (" She's got a thing for yams" he repeats on "Penelope's Angles"). But Luxor is highly autobiographical and, accordingly, features some gorgeous love songs, including "You Remind Me of You" (produced by and featuring Jon Brion on piano), "One L," "Solpadeine" (which mentions the Soft Boys, for whom some of the songs were first intended), and "Idonia," a tale of unrequited love, described as only Hitchcock describes it: "All the ghosts in love with you, they crane their sorry necks like a Viennese machine that's just discovered sex." Beautiful! --Bill Holdship

Product Description

2003 solo album for the acclaimed singer/songwriter & sometime Soft Boy. 13 tracks plus a 12-page booklet of color photos of Robyn. Paf. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much simpler Hitchcock, August 31, 2003

By	Jerry Larson (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This one took me a few listens. The usual pop hooks and tales of trains and vegetables are few and far between. But once you get past the fact that they're not there to be heard, this is a beautiful and worthwhile Hitchcock project. If you like his slower and less structured ballads (think "Autumn is Your Last Chance"), then this could be your CD. "Keep Finding Me" and "Round Song" are among the best songs he's released in years.

Is this a permanent change of direction, marking the end of his frenetic and spontaneous compositions? I tend to doubt it, but, surprisingly perhaps, I wouldn't be too disappointed if it turns out that it is.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solpadeine, October 15, 2003

By	James Moore "Groovy Decoy" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Solpadeine, as you know, is a mild pain killer. This CD is my Solpadeine. It soothes me from the ravages of consumerist pop drivel and the inanity of radio-driven pop rock. If you are sick of capital radio and all the two-bit pretty faces who are passed off to us as artists and musicians today--LUXOR could be just the drug for you. Robyn, as usual, has something to say in his most subtle and humorous way, and he knows the value of a beautiful piece of music to heal the bruised psyche of postmodern man. Take one listen to "Wolf House" and you'll see what I mean. Robyn is consistently Robyn--and he will always remain true to himself. Thank God for that. Robyn has depth. Buy this CD--you will be missing out on a real diamond if you don't.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any New Robyn is a Good Robyn!, January 21, 2004

By	Jill Harris (46032) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album is definately the pared-down, sparce, and hauntingly beautiful persona of Robyn Hitchcock...most closely what you get at an acoustic show. While it may be a bit uneven, and you might not LOVE every song, as with every other Robyn and Soft Boys album this one does contain many (call it 5 of the 13 tracks - "The Idea of You," "Maria Lyn," and "Idonia" especially) absolute masterpieces! And, nearly every song has at least a few amazing moments or lyrics that keep the banality of todays music at bay. I am so thankful that there is a Robyn Hitchcock in the world, and that he is continuing to make the wonderful, quirky, and utterly unique music that he does. This album still is a must for fans, and soon-to-be fans, alike!