Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947

Michael Penn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 2, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mimeograph Records
• ASIN: B0009WFFRM
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,103 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Walter Reed

2. Denton Road

3. Room712, The Apache

4. Pretending

5. The Transistor

6. Mary Lynn

7. 18 September

8. The Television Set Waltz

9. Your Know How

10. A Bad Sign

11. O.K.

12. On Automatic

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Los Angeles troubadour Michael Penn offers a compelling argument here that personal obsessions can often be a songwriter's most compelling muse. An intriguing concept album that revolves around Penn's introspective take on the brave new world of post-WW II America as channeled by the thoughts of its protagonists, Mr. Hollywood makes little effort at recreating the era's musical aura. Instead Penn details his retro-L.A. landscape via the emotional states of his song cycle's rich cast of characters (which includes the bewildered returning vet of "Walter Reed" and the shadowy film-noir protagonist of "Room 715, The Apache"), a gambit that effectively bridges the decades: Their pensiveness and wistful anxiety seem all too contemporary. The era's technical/historical landmarks are noted by such brief, impressionistic sound pastiches as "The Transistor," "18 September" (the date the National Security Act was established) and the jaunty "Television Set Waltz." Penn's stately, melancholy way with a ballad forms a firm foundation, yet the album's two-part structural conceit (which replicates LP sides) and such adventurous fare as the hypnotic, ethnically indeterminate dirge "Mary Lynn," "Bad Sign"'s lush pop-blues and the jangly, cautious optimism of "On Automatic" insure it never rests on nostalgia or the merely familiar. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

A new ALBUM PRESENTS 12 NEW SONGS SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF POST-WWII AMERICA Michael Penn is fascinated with the year 1947. "In so many of my interests and wherever they take me, that year keeps cropping up." On his new record Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947, Penn weaves historical, political and social events and themes into 12 meticulously crafted songs that tell a series of inter-connected stories of human relationships and romance set against the backdrop of post-World War II America. Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 paints a picture of a Los Angeles that doesn’t exist anymore. "When I was writing these songs I found that I was placing myself, people, places and events into a different world. I knew what it was. I recognized it. It was America in 1947," says Penn. "The events set in motion that year were resonating for me more than ever. Some of it was just little things. The Department of War got a name change. The National Security Act was passed and the C.I.A. was formed. It was the year of the U.N. Partition and the invention of the transistor. The point is, this isn’t what the record’s about, but it’s the sepia it occupies." On the self-produced album, Penn is joined by many longtime collaborators, including Patrick Warren (keyboards), Aimee Mann (background vocals and bass) and former member of L.A. cult band The Grays, Buddy Judge (harmony vocals). Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 will be released on Penn’s Mimeograph Records via spinART Records on August 2, 2005.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Penn -- his best album yet!, August 2, 2005

By 

Jill McAlester (Lawrence, KS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 (Audio CD)

I have been a fan of Michael Penn since the release of his first album, "March." I have anxiously awaited the release of his every subsequent album, but I have never been so excited about any album release as I have been about "Mr. Hollywood, Jr. 1947." Going beyond the concept of the album (which I find intriguing), the songs are among the best-crafted he has ever released, and in classic Penn style, have a way of running through my mind even when the stereo is off.

One of my favorite songs on the album is "Walter Reed," which I interpret as being about a soldier returning from WWII. Not able to fit back in to the life and love he left behind, the song very movingly projects the pain, anger, and isolation that many GIs experienced (and still experience) upon their return home.

Another favorite is "OK," a soothing lullaby for a troubled relationship. No empty promises of a perfect resolution to whatever crisis the song is addressing, but there is at least the hope of a tender and sincere reconciliation.

In sharp contrast to the quiet, gentle "OK" is the bright, peppy "On Automatic." An anthem of frenetic (and possibly irrational) optimism, it's a celebration of high times and fresh starts.

I'd have to say that for me, personally, the weakest song on the album is "You Know How," which is only spoiled for me because MP's phrasing is very reminiscent of Bob Dylan in some parts. It's still a good song, but not my favorite.

In addition to the nine very solid songs on this album, three short concept pieces commemorate specific events from the year 1947, including the Roswell UFO incident and the invention of the transistor. My favorite of these, though, is the "Television Set Waltz." It sounds so much like a period recording that for the few moments it plays, I can almost imagine I'm in another place and time.

If you're a long-time fan of Michael Penn, this album is a must-own. And if you are not familiar with his music, this would be a very good introduction. I feel it represents his best work to date.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for fans of intelligent songwriting!, August 2, 2005

By 

The Somnambulist "CGC" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 (Audio CD)

As the cliché goes, you can't judge a book by its cover-- but one look at the slightly askew portrait that graces the cover of Mr. Hollywood Jr. 1947 and you know that there will be more to this CD than what first meets the eye (or ear, in this case.)

Fans of Michael Penn will likely be enthralled by his latest CD, as he continues his tradition of presenting the listener with thoughtful, intelligent lyrics supported by memorable pop hooks.

But it's the darkness below the surface of the glimmer that makes this record hold up to repeated listening.

In some ways, this may be his most subversive offering yet. The songs are ostensibly set in 1947, but are ultimately a reflection of present day dilemmas: the relationship moored in deception - "It's like a play, and the words that I'll say are not for you. They're for the costume" "on a ruse you've come to be depending, baby I'm pretending" ("Pretending") -- or defeat "I've lost the will for fighting over everything" ("Walter Reed.")

Still it's not all doom and gloom in black and white, rather Penn focuses on the shades of gray that more accurately reflect reality in today's Technicolor world. Even the most upbeat tune "On Automatic" seems to suggest, "Yeah, things are looking up, but it's probably all going to hell tomorrow."

"Denton Road" presents one with the unusual perspective and perhaps a bit of dark humor(?) as the recently departed overlooks his viewing with the remark "what's it say about me that I'm bored" and the final verse ends with "I'm in over my head."

"Room 712, The Apache" -- the Apache being a long-gone Las Vegas casino [built in 1932, it was the first Vegas resort to have an elevator - your trivia for the day] -- makes terrific use of a gambling metaphor -- "Baby bet everything, you're gonna lose. But believe it or not, you'll be highly amused. Because what's it worth anyway? It's just another broken part. Give `em your artificial heart."

The metaphors are plentiful throughout Mr. Hollywood Jr. 1947, and the songs layered with meaning...and while I've focused on lyrics here, what makes this a record worth owning and listening to (repeatedly) is the way these little stories are presented with melodies that engage and production that enlightens.

The only song I'm not loving is "Mary Lynn" -- while it's chanting quality and dulcimer suggest a down home revival sing-a-long, it is too repetitive for my tastes.

The CD booklet contains additional narrative that ties the songs together (but not too neatly, that's not Mr. Penn's style) and creates a film noir setting.

The final track is an unlisted one -- "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" - which manages to be simultaneously poignant and indignant (parts of aforementioned indignance seem rather pointedly directed towards the man who currently occupies the Oval Office. Bravo!)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Penn is back, but not better than ever, November 15, 2005

By 

J. Garson "artist and technophile" (Hue-stone, Tejas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 (Audio CD)

This is a great album. It has several tracks that really impressed me. Still, there's something missing here. Mr. Penn's earliest works had a brooding quality that is certainly present here, but they also just flat out rocked. Musical themes came and went at breakneck pace, and the sound of the early albums was ritchly layered with found sounds and jangling instrumentation. Since the incredible "Resigned", Penn has seemed to prefer to use simple rhyme shcemes and slower pacing. The writing is still clever, but a cloud of depression has descended on his work, and it does not seem to want to let any sun through.

If you loved MP4 you'll definately love this. Penn's wicked tongue lashes out with clever lyrics and bitter choruses. His guitar lines are still sweet, and the pace is brisk. I would have prefered more of the angry young man who first caught my ear, but this will do.