Customer Reviews

Moss Elixir

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a much more personal album than his A&M records. Gems like "I am not me" and "you and oblivion" only come around once in a lifetime. For those who have heard these songs on "Storefront Hitchcock", this album has a different take, with more fleshing out of the background. I find it thoroughly enjoyable as a "quiet time" record with brains.

I recently saw Robyn when he came through Chicago this Spring. He is at the top of his form, and no one should miss him if they have a chance to see him.

Although I love Hitchcock the eccentric, he's not as much in evidence on this album. Nevertheless this, I think, is one of his very best - it never fails to touch me. Its a dreamy but mature meditation on memories and loss, with the feel of a song cycle, perfect for a fall or winter day. Robyn introduces violin on some songs to great effect, and his guitar playing and voice have never been any better. His songwriting remains on par with his best stuff, too - check out: "This is How it Feels" "She was Sinister" "You and Oblivion." And "Heliotrope," sounding like a Childe folk tune, with this great line: "I lie beneath the grass/My eyes are unseeing/My name is gone from all their files...." Sad, beautiful and highly recommended.

This would have been a return to form if he hadn't always stayed good. Though it is a slight return to the confessional folk feelings of eye, its also really a melding of the lessons of pop he learned with the egyptians. Most of the songs are more fleshed out, such as Deni Bonet's violin, but not to the point of clutter. The production matches the quiet yet glittering music. All in all one of Mr.Hitchcock's best and fullest albums. That sounds slightly poppy without all the extras. Good Stuff!

This is it. Robyn is in his prime and it shows! Don't expect many drum-beats or high velocity rock though - this is very much an embellished solo Robyn album, with lots of experimentation going on (violins? violins!) From the opening symphony of 'She was sinister but she was happy' you get a grand tour of fine English eccentricism and a collection of wonderful songs. Reservations only about 'The speed of things' which is a bit too 'traditional English Folk' for me but if you like that sort of thing... Highlights, there are many. The production of 'The Devil's Radio' makes it sound bizarre like a sea of very quiet shrimps strumming matchstick guitars somewhere near the corner of your ceiling. De Chirico street will get you hooked even if you hate it to begin with. 'Filthy Bird' is about as close to political comment as Robyn gets these days, and the inclusion of the until now hard-to-get hold-of 'Man with a woman's shadow' makes the album even more startling. This is an album for people who love music, but don't mind it being a little lateral! If you love it too, try to get hold of it's limited edition predecessor 'Mossy Liquor' and hear 'Alright Yeah' in Swedish!

I have all of Hitchcock's albums and on this one he gets the balance right. He is never bland but he is often too weird for our own good. That is to say that lyrically he at times comes off like an English pop-music incarnation of Captain Beefheart. And much contrary to camp conventional wisdom that is not a good thing. On this album however, all the jangly tunefulness Robyn can muster is paired nicely with rather pleasant idiosyncratic imagery. If you were curious but befuddled as to where to begin with this prolific savant Moss Elixir makes for a good first round.

Many reviews start with "Don't start here". In the case of Robyn Hitchcock, that advice is probably too linear. So sure, start here - but with "Beautiful Queen" - my reason for getting the disc. An acquaintance once asked about a Hitchcock song, "What's it about?" But the answer's not the point - the songs are. It's a feeling. Four stars because it's an uneven effort. But all the same, once you enter the sound you'll know what I mean. Hear also, "The Speed of Things". It's life in 4 minutes.

Robyn is quite simply a man out of time. Sort of like a David Lynch film, but not one of the more purient or violent ones, his songs occupy a place of dream-logic soul-baring honesty. "Moss Elixir" stands up with his best, which are also the other acoustically dominated LP's "Eye" and "I Often Dream of Trains". These songs are not just "mellow", but melancholy. This is quite possibly the most rockin' album that you WON'T want to turn up. Thank you, Robyn. Can't wait til "Jewels for Sophia" sees light of day.

...it's just not suited for everyday listening. I love this record, don't get me wrong. I don't have such a difficult time interpreting his psychedelia like so many others do, so this record really struck me as very heartfelt, honest and very emotional. The lesson I learned with Moss Elixir is that losing someone you love is devastatingly painful, but for better or for worse, you do get over it. However, you just can't listen to an album all about death and mourning all the time...it gets to you! Be sure to occasionally switch to a happier record like Fegmania!

I wish he'd resist the temptation. He produces away all the great stuff we hear in his concerts. (I really only like his live albums because of this).