Search - Trip Shakespeare :: Applehead Man

Not bad, but out-of-print albums were masterpieces

Scot | Chapel Hill, NC USA | 08/19/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is just a glimmer of what Trip Shakespeare would soon be capable of. Switch over to Amazon Auctions and see if you can track down either "Lulu" or "Across the Universe," now out-of-print. If I ever lost my copy of either I'd be beside myself...Let me describe those first for comparison. Think Revolver-era Beatles meets Gordon-era Barenaked Ladies in all the best ways. Lyrics and overall personality: charming, surprising, slightly goofy, unaffected depth and warm personality. Great songwriting with that rare kind of catchiness where you don't mind it being stuck in your head. Arrangements are fairly simple (two electric guitars, tight fretless bass and drums) and overlaid with gorgeous 2- and 3-part harmonies. Wonderful.This album doesn't have the diversity of Trip's later efforts. Matt does a great job of harmonizing with himself, and John and Elaine are a tight rhythm section as always, but Matt's over-singing a bit and there's not much variety in arrangement or feel of each song. Still, there are glimmers of what lay just around the corner. "Pearle" has always been a favorite.My take on Semisonic, formed by Dan and John after Trip broke up: Matt was the soul of Trip Shakespare, and Semisonic doesn't seem to have found one yet. I used to say I'd listen to Dan Wilson sing the phone book -- "be careful what you wish for" I guess...And Matt, if you're out there -- keep writing. We're still listening."