Search - Sf Seals :: Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows

Torch songs for post-hipsters

John L Murphy | Los Angeles | 05/27/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This reminds me of a sung short story collection. Unified, cohesive, tonally consistent. It will not leap out at you but rewards a listen on a quiet drive or earns an overcast morning's attention. It's a bit less energetic than Barbara Manning's other mid-90s efforts on "Nowhere" and lacks the thematic range of her Firestarter songs on the ambitious and at times exhilarating "2112" album. Her voice is straightforward, in parts recalling Georgia Hubley of Yo La Tengo; fans of that trio's own pop-rock eclecticism may like Manning's work for a similar friendliness. It's not as adventurous as YLT. But, for low-key, wistful, but feisty and character-filled tunes, this unassuming collection does its duty. It opens with a cover of the title track from The Pretty Things' '67 rock opera and also features a song by John Cale, both blending well into the SF singer's own compositions, written by herself and with her musicians. Their best lyrical line ends my favorite song here, "Pulp": "I would rather be the drum between your knees so you could hit on me.""