What Is Truth? [Explicit Lyrics]

J Neo Marvin & the Content Providers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 20, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Ear Candle
• ASIN: B00009X4P4
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #791,017 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Formerly Boomtown

2. Primate House

3. Dear Emma

4. Slow Drain

5. Unforgivable

6. Ex-Supernova

7. Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch

8. Kite Song

9. Stick Figure

10. Fiscal Year Zero (Charge of the Lite Brigade)

11. New Age Couple Goes Down In Flames

12. Take Me By Surprise

Editorial Reviews

Ear Candle Recordings is mighty pleased to present What Is Truth?, the second album by J Neo Marvin & the Content Providers.

Expanding on the sparse, minimalist sound of the first Content Providers CD, Slowly I Turned, What Is Truth? takes its inspiration from psychedelic classics like Their Satanic Majesties Request and Magical Mystery Tour, resulting in an anything-goes approach that stretches the music in whatever direction each song calls for, from the Dylan-goes-to-New-Zealand folk-rock of "Primate House (1731 11th Ave)", to the darkly sad chamber-punk of "Ex-Supernova" or "Stick Figure", to the thumping "Mark E. Smith in Turkey backed by a jazz combo and a Rasta drum circle" ambiance on "Fiscal Year Zero (Charge Of The Lite Brigade)", the catchy Celtic Mariachi drone of "Formerly Boomtown", and the full-on joyful noise of "Kite Song".

The lyrics of What Is Truth? cover more ground than its predecessor, too, this time dealing with the state of the country both before and after the recent events that have led us to our current path of destruction, as well as tight-focus portraits of individuals coping (or not coping) with modern life as we know it. All of which leads us back to the title question, which was first posed by Johnny Cash at the beginning of the 1970s. What Is Truth? doesn’t offer any easy answers, but might help to get us started asking the hard questions.

Out of the 12 songs, 10 are new original numbers by former X-tal frontman and head Content Provider J Neo Marvin; the other two, "Kite Song" by Yoko Ono and "Slow Drain" by Mink Deville, though not originally planned as such, function as a small salute to the creativity and resilience of the people of New York City.

The expanded Content Providers lineup on What Is Truth? includes Slowly I Turned veterans Alan Korn on bass, Carrie Bradley (100 Watt Smile, Breeders, Ed’s Redeeming Qualities) on violin, Rico Bell (Mekons) on accordion and Tim Ennis on percussion, plus newcomers like Diane Wallis (ex-She Mob) and Cynthia Wigginton (ex-Bedlam Rovers and occasional guest Mekon) on violins, Nik Phelps (Sprocket Ensemble, Tom Waits, ex-Club Foot Orchestra) on horns and woodwinds, Jill Fido (Holy Sisters Of The Gaga Dada) on bass, Terri Manning (sister/collaborator of Barbara Manning) on vocal harmonies, flutes and musical saw, and many more. (The total number of contributors is 26!) Recorded exactingly yet spontaneously in good old-fashioned lysergic 16-track analog by the incomparable Wally Sound, What Is Truth? will astonish you with its musical twists and sharp songwriting.

Recommended tracks for radio: "Formerly Boomtown", "Fiscal Year Zero", "Ex-Supernova" Recommended track for DJs who want to get in trouble with the FCC: "Primate House"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A pretty hip new fusion of folk and indie with a punk feel, August 12, 2003

By 

A. McKee (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Is Truth? (Audio CD)

I've seen these guys live, and they're pretty good. They have a very unconventional band and sound, with multiple keyboards, hand drums, violins, and the traditional bass and guitar section. The songs are creative and a lot of attention has obviously been paid on lyrical craftsmanship. Most of the songs are very intelligent and cover a range of punk-feeling topics, from dissatisfaction with the current socio-political realities, analysis of failed friendships, to angst and bitterness with consumerism and the 'me, me, me' culture. It's not all down, though, and you may find an upbeat love song hidden in the mix. =)

The music itself is often very pleasant, sometimes in stark contrast to the lyrics laid down on top of them. There's a very accoustic and folk-y sound to it. All in all, a great album and an even better live band.