Search - Titanic Love Affair :: Their Titanic Majesty's Request

Flashes of greatness on their farewell CD

12/15/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is the last CD from the late, great Titanic Love Affair ("TLA"). Fittingly, it was released on Twintone, home of TLA's idols the Replacements and Soul Asylum. Prior to this CD, TLA had two other relases: 1990's self-titled debut on Virgin/Charisma, and the indie "No Charisma" EP. Both are worth getting if you like the aformentioned bands, particularly "No Charisma" which benefitted from a strong mix courtesy of Adam Schmitt.Unlike their two prior CD's, which were recorded by the full TLA lineup, this CD was a studio project, using various drummers, recorded while guitarist Jay Bennett was in the process of joining WILCO and recording "Being There." So, while it has its moments, it suffers from (1) not using the real TLA, and (2) including some songs that were composed in the studio and not tested before a live audience. That said, the highlights (primarily written by singer Ken Hartz) are as strong as anything TLA ever did. Listen to "At the Show," "Out on a Limb" and "Every Little Chance," and you'll hear what made TLA special: like their idols, they struck the right balance between "pop" melodies, rock production values, and the indie-rock aesthetic without which it cannot be cool. Tons of bands try to to this; the vast majority fail. TLA succeeded."