Customer Reviews

Pontiac

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lyle Lovett is generally a skilled songwriter who draws from several modes of music that many of his contemporaries have abandoned: Western swing, big band pop, postwar jazz and such. Most of his albums are mixed bags, stocked equally with keenly observed story songs and tiresome cliches. "Pontiac" is by far his best album, the one time he manages the shirk the weaknesses of his other work and put together eleven nearly flawless songs. Here is his charactaristic irony, humor, eye for character, sense of whimsy, and fine brush strokes. On songs like "A Simple Song" and "If I Had a Boat"--one of the greatest songs written since Dylan was in his second, "Blood on the Tracks"-era prime--, he weilds a pen like never before or since. In my opinion, none of his other albums (aside perhaps from "Live in Texas") would warrant more than three stars, but this one lands almost accidentally among the best of the 1980's.

I own all of Lyle's albums. This is the first one I ever heard (when I was 5 years old.} It made a very strong impression on me All of his cd's are amazing in their own ways, but I think this one is still the best. I don't like country music, but Lyle has an extremely sophisticated style of songwriting, that incorporates elements of folk, jazz, blues,southern gospel,big band swing, and contemporary country. There is a very sly and smooth quality in Lyle's voice and the way he writes songs that will give you chills. The first song "If I had a boat" is what won me over as a fan. A very catchy and charming folk song with well played twangy guitars. "Give back my heart" is humorous country blues at its best, "I loved you yesterday" is a Texan style country ballad that sounds a little like a Spanish folk song. "Walk through the bottomland" is a great folk song with just the right amount of twang with good harmony vocals from Emmylou Harris {very haunting vibe on this one.} "L.A.County" has an interesting approach, the song is upbeat country, but the lyrics are dark and talk about the killing of an ex lover at her wedding, Matt Rollings plays some great synthesizer on this one. "She's no lady" is a great sly jazzy song. Although it's kind of bitter toward women, its a damn catchy number, good short piano solo too! "Money" is a good blues song about how to get classy women {funny}. Things get darker with "black and blue" very sly with a big band sound you sorta feel like your'e chillin at a smoky jazz club while this song is playing. "simple song" is beautifully morbid. It's a guitar song played around an ominous D minor chord with chilling strings, sounds kinda like Everlast's "What it's like" things get even lonelier and darker with "pontiac" a song with just a guitar and violin about a world war two vet coping with his haunting memories of what he did overseas many years ago... Lyle hits us with the funny and upbeat "she's hot to go" as the closer. If you like this one check out "thats right {your not from Texas}This is an all around awesome listening experience and well recorded/produced album.{I wish MCA would remaster Lyle's first three Cd's, maybe some more pictures or bonus tracks?!} If you like this I would also reccomend Bruce Hornsby's "the way it is" anything by Jim Croce {r.i.p.} and Nick Cave's "the boatman's call." Pontiac is amazing no matter what musical style you enjoy highly recommended!! your cd collection is hurting without it.

PONTIAC is a wonderful example of how multi-talented an individual Lyle Lovett is. Beginning with the charming "If I Had a Boat," PONTIAC takes a listener on a journey through the many different song styles, all of which Lovett is a master of. Lovett plumbs the depths of a man's soul on the noir tales of "L.A.County" and "Pontiac" and then just as easily creates a sense of fun and exasperation on "Give Back my Heart" and "She's No Lady." PONTIAC captures a master songwriter at the top of his game with haunting lyrics and memorable tunes. Shifting easily from Texas twangs to big band sounds, Lovett creates a sound that encapsulates the true range of the what is known as "country," and he does it better than most.

The first thing you'll hear when you bring up Lyle with someone is something about his looks. Yes, he is an unusual looking man. Unusual is not ugly or unpleasant, in my opinon. But what that has to do with listening to his music is beyond me. The keyword is that you're LISTENING to him, not looking at him. If for some reason you can't get past his looks, just keep that in mind. And hey- he was married to Julia Roberts for a year- how long were YOU married to her? That's what I thought...

This is Lyle at his best- not too jazzy, not too country, just right. I partciularly love "Walk Through The Bottomlands", a beautiful, haunting song with wonderful background vocals by Emmylou Harris. Equally fine is "I Loved You Yesterday", sort of a slow Texas swing love song. These are my two favorite songs, but every track fits perfectly, and there is no filler.

Lyle is funny, dark, sad, wistful, romantic and yes, sometimes just plain weird. His music certainly has some country elements, and this album probably has more of that than others. But that's a plus, since it's not twangy or pseudo-rock country. This is probably his most accessible album, and the perfect place to start if you don't want his greatest hits. And go see him in concert the next time he swings through your town. He might not be Bruuuuuce, but he's still an incredible live performer.

I first became aware of Lyle Lovett's amazing talent around 1989 when I picked up a copy of "Lyle Lovett and his Large Band," after hearing so many great things about him. I was blown away by his songwriting talent, his wonderful voice, and the way he can whip a band into shape. He has never disappointed me. It's unfortunate that so many people simply know of Lyle as the neo-country singer with the weird hair who was once married to Julia Roberts. Proof that his music is so good is that I have never met anyone who listened to a Lyle Lovett disc and walked away disappointed...no matter what your taste in music, chances are pretty good that you'll stick with Lyle after hearing him.

Anyway...enough with the "back story"...I chose to review "Pontiac" simply because I feel it's Lyle's most consistent work. There really isn't a weak cut on the entire disc. "If I Had a Boat" is both tender and hilarious...PC attitudes aside, "She's No Lady" is a swinging, funny little number..."Black and Blue" is a beautiful jazz/blues lament..."I Loved You Yesterday" is simply gorgeous. Lyle has taken an uncanny skill at weaving country and blues an turned it into a beautiful art. If you like this, chances are you'll enjoy the follow-up, "Lyle Lovett and his Large Band," which follows the same musical cues. "Joshua Judges Ruth" is also stunning. But check out "Pontiac" to see a true master at the top of his form.

While this early release of Lyle's is dipped more into country and folk, you will actually hear some of his best song writing on this release. Whether it's the comical "Give Back My Heart" or the completely hilarious "She's No Lady, She's My Wife" to the hauntingly mysterious "Simple Song" (which recalls a likeness to 'Time in a Bottle') to the bluezy/jazzy "M-O-N-E-Y", Lyle entertains you with the charm and wit that he is so famous for. If you are a Lyle fan, you cannot live without this release!!

Easily, his best album. It has his amazingly beautiful, humorous, poetic lyrics and the music is simple but great. Too many of his albums overuse the Large Band which detract attention from the lyrics without adequately compensating. I've owned this album for over 10 years and, while I own many other CDs, many of them Lyle's, this is a constant favorite. If you buy only one Lyle Lovett album, make it this one.

Pontiac is quintessential Lovett, embodying the artist's perfectionism and subtle wit. Those who have not been exposed to much of Lovett's work will find that this album is his most accessible. Pontiac and Road to Ensenada are smooth, upbeat albums that hold something for every open-minded music lover. We all know that Lyle Lovett's music is an acquired taste. There is a catch, though. Like a fine bottle of wine, Lovett's music is constantly evolving, each time into a richer and more unique experience that is harder to catagorize. This wonderful variation in style is coupled with a consistency of quality, earnestness, validity, thoughtful orchestration, and talent.

Lyle Lovett is easily one of the most complete popular musicians around these days. He has a fantastic lonesome, bluesy voice and his songwriting and eclectic stylization is simply ingenious. *Pontiac* is argueably his strongest piece of work, but how can one choose from such a great lineup!

Lyle starts this record with the descriptive and surreal *If I Had A Boat*. This folky, midtempo song has a beautifull, building melody and perfectly sets the tone for the album. *Give Back My Heart* is a hilarious upbeat country-blues song, that you'll be singing and humming along to immediately. Lyle is breathtakingly bold and unpredictable, most notably when he goes through a tune where he hunts down and kills his Ex at her wedding (*LA County*), and right on into a song where he marry's a girl and sarcastically describes the restrainments of marriage! (*She's No Lady*) The music selection remains tasty as Mr. Lovett adds in touches of R&B (*M-O-N-E-Y*), and loungy big-band (*Black and Blue*) without losing any focus. Another excellent song is the title track, a slow acoustic ballad with a haunting fiddle. Lovett's vocal performances are loose and deeply inspired. Just listen to how his voice fades out at the end of Pontiac and then picks up right into the swinging *She's Hot To Go*---"Now to find a man good loving aint an easy thing to do...", from this opening verse, he's got you hooked!

The backing band of musicians are fabulous, and Emmylou Harris' and Francine Reed's backing vocals on a few of the tracks are icing on the cake! The cerebral songs will give you chills and the witty ones will crack you up. Lyle Lovett is truely an American treasure, and the fact that his music is rather uncategorizable makes him all the more appealing. Wish I could give this record 6 stars, it's well worth the trip!

Thanks for reading!

Lyle Lovett is unique. He brings together a wide range of styles (although mostly what would be considered country), musical humor worthy of Randy Newman, and a perspective on life that is definitely off-beat. In "Pontiac" it all comes together in one terrific album. And as an extra bonus, "If I Had A Pony" makes a great lullaby (with only modest editing <g>).

If you've been curious about this artist, start here.