Overall, I think, the production is flawless...it's a back to basics drums, bass and over-driven guitar kinda album...and Tim's voice fares very well silencing those who criticised his last outing.
1. Songline:
To me this seems like a muscial journey through Tim's career lyric-wise.
"All those things that I left behind, they were never mine"
It's very rocky and Kirsten Morrelle's vocals blend perfectly with Tim's, not just on this track but right throughout the album.
2. I'll Never Know:
I remember reading an interview where Tim acknowledged that his attitudes had changed, largely thanks to Marie and Harper...he's less grumpy and more accepting and optimistic. This song seems to confirm that very much.
"I'll never know what came over me, I only know that you showed me how to live differently"
It is also riddled with Buddhist dogma with regard to material gain and reincarnation/karma. Again the vocals are flawless with the harmonies blending perfectly.
3. Subway Dreaming:
Personally I think this song could just as easily have been the first single off the album and has great potential for a equally great video. It does to me for subway travel what REM's 'day-sleeper'did for night-shift work. The drums and guitar at the start borrow from Andy White's 'I couldn't do it' off the 'Teenage' album. A real classic though.
4. Say It Is So:
A great down-to-earth rock tune from Tim and Andy White. Laced with great male backing vocals that give it its hook..
5. What You've Done:
All Tim fans will have this one on the ALT album already but surely we must acknowledge that the new version is superior not only in production value but also in its kick-ass rock-ness. Drums way up in the mix...this could easily be a successful single release.
6. Sawdust and Splinters:
This song starts with a brilliant melodic riff. The lyrics seem somewhat simplistic at first but when the chorus comes in the Enz-type lyric phrase sends a shiver down your spine. It's pure Enz! The use of brushes on the drums instead of sticks add to the perfect production.
7. Dead Man:
The obvious root for this song is a tribute to some or other musical artist. It starts off slow and leads into unarguably one of the best choruses on the album.
"Just when you think it's all been spent, the lemon tree is growing lemons again"
It brings up imagery which seems to be ripe throughout the whole album, Tim's dealing with his mother's passing. My guess is that this will be a favourite when played live.
8. Commonplace:
Like 'Sawdust...' this song has some very simplistic lyrics which are very situational in their meaning. This, however, seems to compliment the whole feeling behind the song, "it's commonplace but it's so lovely". Tim plays with some of the words in this song which give it something extra and not unpleasant.
9. Waiting For Your Moment:
A hidden classic within the album. This song does so much for me the way the vocals blend on the chorus. Probably not single material but definitely an outstanding track.
10. Party Was You:
Personally, I think this song seems to deal entirely with Tim's mother's passing and his realisation that she was always the life and soul of the party.
"I was barefoot in paradise when I knew that the party was you"
All these sentiments captured nice and rockingly within 3 minutes 13 seconds.
11. Incognito in California:
It almost seems that with this Phil Judd written tune, Tim knew that this would be first single. It's probably the most 'produced' track on the album. That said, it shows Judd's talent as a songwriter both lyrically and melodically. It sticks in the back of the head and won't get out even when you've been trying to get asleep for two or three hours. Damn it!
Well what do you guys think?
Brian