Customer Reviews

Skittish / Rockity Roll

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Whether you're a Soul Coughing fan or not (I'm not), you need to own Mike Doughty's solo CD (actually two CDs), called Skittish/Rockity Roll. He's the former leader of the aforementioned group, which disbanded in ugly fashion a few years back.

Doughty recorded Skittish in 1996. As the time, he'd wanted to do some acoustic stuff, which didn't fit in with what Soul Coughing was doing. They hated it. So Doughty recorded the CD on his own, submitted it to SC's record label, and was promptly rejected. But some of the songs ended up on Napster anyway, and Doughty's fans were eating it up big time. So he burned a pile of Skittish CDs at home and sold them when he hit the road for a solo tour.

Rockity Roll, recorded in 2003, is a mix of acoustic, lo-fi, outtakes from Skittish, and some live songs (recorded in 2004). I think this is the stronger of the two CDs.

I was never a Soul Coughing fan, but I love Doughty's solo work. His guitar style is folksy, but cool, and his lyrics are intelligent, telling and strong. Doughty's casual style is part of his appeal - unassuming, yet obviously enjoying the ride.

I don't think anyone would be disappointed with this set, which costs a bit less than you'd pay for a regular CD. If you're skeptical, at least give a listen to "Move On," which is a low-key protest song from a guy who might believe the war is wrong, but still loves his country. If you like it, and you will, watch for the upcoming release by Mike Doughty's Band (yeah, that's the name of the band), which will be released sometime in mid spring on Dave Matthews' ATO Records. Yes, Dave is a big fan. You will be too.

So when I first heard this album I was so exited because this is the direction that I had hoped Soul Coughing (Mike's past band) would pursue ever since the first time I heard the song "Circles". Then as I gave it some more listens I realized that I was stupid for having ever thought that. Soul Coughing was an extremely innovative and inspired band, and Mr. Doughty was much the culprit of that. What Doughty does on this album is amazing. The hasty guitar riffs will have you setting the cd player on repeat, the intricate picking helps to set the stage for him to pluck at every emotion you have, and the poetic lyrics will have you comparing every relationship you've ever had to one of his songs. I'm ecstatic Mike Doughty came out with Skittish/Rockity Roll to scratch my acoustic itch, and I'm glad Soul Coughing stayed the course and made exactly the music they did. Pick up Skittish/Rockity Roll. Pick up Soul Coughing's El Oso. Enjoy each for the amazing needle they are in they haystack of mundane music out there.

I have to somehow top that.
So you were like me probably, and Soul Coughing
filled a unique place in your ears.

Soul Coughing was like no one, and no one, even trying,
was like Soul Coughing. In 2000, I had a stroke and two bonus heartattacks on the same day-- and Soul Coughing broke up.
I am still trying to figure out which did the most damage to my psyche.

I kept hearing how incredible MD's new stuff was on tour. So I pre-ordered it and got it today I have listened to it all day.I am not tired of it at all.

If Michael isn't most gifted lyricist living, we got a beef. Sure, I can hear some echoes of his favorite riffs, but his stuff has evolved into a new ecological niche. It is tantamount to perfect with the unplugged sound and his playing is tasty. More importantly, his lyrics just soar.

It would take me about 300 more words apiece to begin to review these monsters. Just take my word for it, if this stuff doesn't steer you into oncoming traffic, you have the cdplayer turned off.

Back to my earlier point-- Soul Coughing did not split into one unique guy and the 3 dwarves. They went seperate, unique directions. Mr. Doughty, like all great writers, shows us exactly where he went, even though many of us would not voluntarily go there, or stay there as long with our eyes open as he did.
But if you have been down there, or someplace in the same zip code, it helps to hear it so well stated.

You did it Mike, you put a big-ass bandaid on my soul.
I now find myself loving the spot where Soul Coughing was missing. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the pride of Basehor Kansas, my old neighbor Michael Doughty!!!

I've been waiting for Skittish to be released for a long, long time. Before now, I could only find about 6 songs from the album and no reference to it any place where CD's are purchased. Finally it's here and in a double disk, no less.

Mike Doughty (then M. Doughty) accomplished all he could with Soul Coughing, which is evidenced by the lack luster El Oso. My heart felt great sadness when I heard of the split, but now I see where they were coming from. If Soul Coughing had stayed together, there would have been more albums like El Oso, or worse (at least El Oso was OK). Instead, Doughty went off to try something different, like every evolving artist does. The result was this fine collection of acoustic "small rock".

Skittish is almost all acoustic, and showcases Doughty as a lyricist and musician. Rockity Rolls adds some electronic (sometimes almost hip-hop) elements, drums and instruments, but never gets too caught up in it. Both disks are amazing, and I will be enjoying them for a very long time.

Mike Doughty is amazing. I decided a few years ago to check up on the members of soul coughing because I truly missed their music. I was lucky enough to find out that Mike Doughty had a solo career going and was selling this CD on his own website www.superspecialquestions.com The CD was signed and included his own unique word written on the cover. Anyways, I picked it up and hasn't left the player since. This is not Soul Coughing music, but it's just as good in some weird way. I was never really into folky music but the guys voice is just electric and unique enough to draw you in. I was able to check out his show at Kent State a few months back. I didn't even know he was coming until I picked up the school's paper that day and saw he was performing for FREE that afternoon. Needless to say it was a great show and my friends who had never heard of Soul Coughing or Doughty before the concert were looking around after the show to see if his CDs were being sold anywhere. This guy's under the radar. This won't last long, though, since he's on Dave Matthews' label. Check out www.archive.org to download legal free live shows and get this CD so you can say you liked him back when.

I've loved Mike Doughty and Soul Coughing for a long time, and of course was dissapointed with the break-up of the band in 2000. However, Mike Doughty has come back with two great albums (for the price of one). Skittish is the acoustic disc recorded in 96 and the songs are great, well-crafted and Mike's distinguished voice/lyrics are more present than ever.
Rockity Roll is more of an elctric disc, with samples and drum machines. The whole album is amazing, "Ways and Means" "27 Jennifers" and "Ossining" are my favorite and I was psyched to see that he included "Move On" live from Bonnaroo!! By far the best CD i've purchased in a long time... GET IT NOW!!!

I'm really confused as to why Mike Doughty isn't a superstar yet. His lyrics are inspired, his vocal stylings one of a kind, and his music is catchy and beautiful and weird all at once. I have always loved Soul Coughing, though anyone looking for more of the same may be disappointed. There is such a thing as creative growth, people. There's still that distinctive voice, but where Soul Coughing leaned toward the jazzy, funky and hard end of indie rock, Mike's solo stuff is more stripped down and down-to-earth. But just listen to some of the lyrics and you'll realize that the Soul Coughing vibe is unmistakably present--arresting turns of phrase, clever wordplay, and funny and often brilliant observations on life, love, and laundry. The first song I ever heard of his was "27 Jennifers," which to me encapulates the Gen X experience so perfectly it seemed classic the first time I listened to it. Some of Mike's stuff reminds me of Billy Nayer in it's poetic weirdness, but where Cory MacAbee can be weird beyond accessibility, Mike always manages to hit home.
I truly cannot get enough of this man's stuff. It's not for everyone, but what truly quality music ever is?

Mike Doughty is amazing. I decided a few years ago to check up on the members of soul coughing because I truly missed their music. I was lucky enough to find out that Mike Doughty had a solo career going and was selling this CD on his own website www.superspecialquestions.com The CD was signed and included his own unique word written on the cover. Anyways, I picked it up and hasn't left the player since. This is not Soul Coughing music, but it's just as good in some weird way. I was never really into folky music but the guys voice is just electric and unique enough to draw you in. I was able to check out his show at Kent State a few months back. I didn't even know he was coming until I picked up the school's paper that day and saw he was performing for FREE that afternoon. Needless to say it was a great show and my friends who had never heard of Soul Coughing or Doughty before the concert were looking around after the show to see if his CDs were being sold anywhere. This guy's under the radar. This won't last long, though, since he's on Dave Matthews' label. Check out www.archive.org to download legal free live shows and get this CD so you can say you liked him back when.

I admit that I'd buy just about anything this guy puts out, he's fantastic, but this is a good album even without my heavy bias. He's one of the best songwriters our generation has the right to claim, and he's never, ever, a letdown.

Mike, keep it coming.

As a big fan of Soul Coughing, I hate to say this, but, well, ahem, Mike Doughty is even better solo. The songs on this double album have all of the musical beauty of Soul Coughing songs, but here they go much deeper, to a place we never heard on Soul Coughing albums. Truly excellent, moving stuff.