Search - Graham Parker :: Acid Bubblegum

The Return Of The Acid

The Orange Duke | Cupertino, Ca United States | 08/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This surprising little album is a return to form of sorts for GP. After the excellent STEADY NERVES Parker began to descend into the abyss of adult contemporary schlock, with 12 HAUNTED EPISODES he literally hit rock bottom. Of course, from there, there was no where to go but up, and up he went, way up! Musically he hasn't gone back quite to the glory days of THE REAL MacCAW and HOWLING WIND, but this album is musically as exciting as THE MONA LISA'S SISTER, which is a pretty fair jump after 12 HE. Parker's lyrical strength has always been in his venom, and here, suddenly GP remembered he was angry. Gone is the overly sentimental family man who was increasingly expressing only his own emotions, GP has returned to sharp social commentary, and I welcome it. When he started out, GP was basically a harder, better version of Elvis Costello. An angry young man's angry young men, if he hasn't quite returned to that he's probably come as close as is possible. Highly recommended for long time fans, and also a good starter for newbies. I also recommend THE LAST GREAT ROCK N ROLL TOUR and any GP album before 1990. Especially worthy tracks include: 'Turn It Into Hate' 'Get Over It And Move On' and especially 'Obsessed With Aretha' but all are excellent."

Head and shoulders above most everything else out there

Stephen Pelletier | Boston, MA United States | 02/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This record was head and shoulders above most everything available in '96 when it was released and it is way better than most of today's schlock that gets so much attention. A big departure (return to form?) after 12 Haunted Episodes (which is a very different record, but also VERY much worth owning.)It's a shame that gp never has gotten the recognition he deserves. This is intelligent and danceable music. There are numerous excellent songs on the record, but "Obsessed with Aretha" is, alone, worth the price of the disc, if you can find it."

"I don't appeal to the masses, and they don't appeal to me..

tgfabthunderbird | York, PA United States | 11/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Graham Parker's venomous wit shines here on "Acid Bubblegum." This was in fact my intro to Parker. "I'd seen him perform "Obsessed with Aretha" on some TV show, and I went right out and found the CD.



Powerful, angry stuff from Parker and the Figgs. "Obsessed" is a very accurate take on the pop scene, at that time and now, with Parker pointing his guns at Aretha, white-soul girl wannabes, and loser boy bands. Journalists (especially the "gutter press") also come in for a reaming.



"Turn it Into Hate" kicks off, with horns to back up the guitar/bass/drum setup, and damn if it doesn't sound like Iraq, now...the title quote is from "Sharpening Axes," another laser attack on the masses. "Bubblegum Cancer" was probably my favorite track, with some exceptional lyrical turnarounds.



"She Never Let Me Down" and "Girl At the End of the Pier" are fine ballads, with the latter having a Parkerish ending.



All in all, a set of great songs, with Parker's poison-pen style making for an entertaining and insightful recording.

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