Brand of Screams

Overall Album Score: 9.1 out of 10

"VISION!" says the grumpy music reviewer. "THIS ALBUM LACKS VISION!" The grumpy music reviewer pounds his fist on his computer's keyboard. Uhjk,mn The grumpy music reviewer then pounds his face into the keyboard. U ... He only got a "U" out of that effort. He pounds his fist on his keyboard again, because the result of that is much cooler and much less painful. Hjkb,mn

Anyway, here we are in 1988. Randy Newman started really getting into the movie soundtracks at this point, and his traditional old albums start getting far and few between. (Other than a musical version of Faust that he for some reason decided to do in 1995, his next normal album won't be until 1999.) And, so treasure yon Randy Newman album whilst thee still haveth the chance!

As I was trying to state in the opening paragraph, this album lacks a definitive vision. This is completely unlike his more concentrated efforts in the early 70s what with Sail Away and Good Old Boys and that wild'n'wonderful Born Again (which was just tooooo crazy). Nope. This album seems to be nothing more than a collection of songs ... a collection of strong songs, however.

The diversity of this album is staggering. Randy Newman tries just about everything (the most surprising one being a rap) and he succeeds at them! (Even the rap! ... Blark! That song turns out to be one of the best crappin' things in here! And this guy is totally middle aged and white!) And ... ohhhhhh ... that rap song pretty much offsets everything else. I forgot what else is on the album! ... Oh, I remember now. There was some jazz, some folky stuff, some of Newman's Own signature happy songs, and even a good 80s rock-pop song! Woowooooooo! And Newman was totally able to evade the whole "It's 1988 and it's okay if I sound like crap" thing so many other people (such as BOB DYLAN) managed to succumb to. This is yet another totally fantastic album from this guy. ... Ohhhhhhhh, even though I enjoy listening to his songs in the movies, I now wish Hollywood didn't suck him in .................. 'cause there aren't that many albums of his left to review. *sniffle*

I guess I could review Randy Newman again.

Overall Album Score: 9.1 out of 10 (GREAT SONGS!!!! My only complaint is the album doesn't really seem to have a singular purpose. Not that albums must essentially have such a thing, but ... crap! It helps! I love every moment of this album, however, and I treasure many of these songs.)

Average Song Score: 9.3 (Great songs abound in this Randy Newman album.)

Album Tilt: 9.0 (This is an enjoyable album! However, no matter how much I enjoy the songs, this isn't exactly a 'coherent' album ... as if that really mattered.)

Artist Rating: 9.0 (Newman always sounds like he believes in what he sings! And he tries a few daring things here, which I respect totally. ... Part of me wants to give this album the 'artist' boost, but the album's lack of coherency can't let me do that.)

Track Reviews

Dixie Flyer 10/10

This is a terrific nostalgic song Randy Newman wrote about his childhood. This song is in the soft-rock swing of things with an utterly terrific melody (...and, as I've said before in my previous Nnnnnnewman music reviews, this guy is one of rock's most natural songwriters). A very lovely song, and a smashing way to begin the album.

New Orleans Wins the War 10/10

Maybe this is a song a bit more in the ragtime category ... This is simply another SMASHING Randy Newman song. Writing songs seems very easy when you listen to Randy Newman, and this is such an unabashedly pleasant song that it'll put a smile on your face.

Four Eyes 9/10

This song is more "artistic" and theatrical ... more disjointed and abstract ... Indeed when you're going to do songs like this, it's not going to be as instantly enjoyable as some of your other songs! ... Sorry. But I do strongly admire Newman's artistic innovations. Not too many people who are able to pull off such unabashedly pleasant songs as "Dixie Flyer" and "New Orleans Wins the War" would dare try being artsy with their third track!

Falling in Love 9/10

More of that pleasant Randy Newman stuff! ... Ooooohhhhhhhhhhh, you've just got to love this guy. How could you not love this guy??! Another wonderfully natural melody and just .................. GURRRRRR!!! PLEASANT! ... This isn't quite as great as those first two priceless tracks, but this is great as well.

Something Special 8/10

Maybe not as special as many of these other tracks, but ... I still like it. This is a love song sung by a desperate guy. (Of course, the desperate guy isn't Randy Newman ... he doesn't sing about himself very much.) Oh man, YOU CAN'T NOT-LIKE RANDY NEWMAN! IT JUST CAN'T BE DONE!! EVEN WHEN HE'S NOT MAKING YOU UNABASHEDLY HAPPY!! This song is only mildly 80s-fied. ... but Newman wasn't totally safe from those production people who wanted those friggin loud drums.

Bad News From Home 8.5/10

Well, this isn't a happy song, as you can probably discern from the song title! It's musically and lyrically downbeat. The atmosphere of it, however, is really quite enchanting! Maybe this is slightly boring, though. I'm left yearning for those wonderful happy songs. (Sorry.)

Roll With the Punches 9/10

Ohhhhh, this guy has to be sooooooo serious with his subject matter! ... But that's always a great thing for Randy Newman, 'cause he ALWAYS sounds like he believes in what he sings. He was great with that since his debut, and he continues to excel. This is a wonderful, rather minimalistic, ragtime ditty.

Masterman and Baby J. 9.5/10

When I first listened to this album, this was the last thing I was expecting. It's a rap!!! And ... wow ... considering how little I personally care for rap music, it's heartening to hear a middle age white guy do it so well. Remember what I said in the previous song review about how he sounds like he believes in what he sings? Well, he believes in what he raps, too. And that's why this song works. Even though you would logically think Randy Newman would sound like a total dork! And he doesn't!!! This song has a great groove, I love the lyrics, and ... crap ... it even has feeling!

Red Bandana 9/10

The chorus sounds like it was written as a hard rock song, except there's a lot of keyboard synthesizer sounds instead of hard electric guitars. Dudes ... How interesting can this guy get???

Follow the Flag 9/10

A nice sentimental piano piece. It's not very long, so ... um ... It's over already! Newman is awesome all the time.

It's Money That Matters 10/10

FRIGADIGADOOOOOO!!!!!! (That was my first gut-response to hearing this song, donchaknow.) He writes a perfectly good radio rock song! (...Okay, it's not as GRINDING as some of the best radio rock songs of this era, but ... it's Randy Newman, so you know that it's got to be good.) It has some tame (but still awesome) electric guitar at its core and ... yeah, a great melody. This is my favorite song of the album. Dudes.

I Want You To Hurt Like Me 10/10

Oh wow... Newman closes his album with one of the best heartfelt ballads that I've ever heard. Verrrrrrrry touching and resonant. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, what a great album this was. AND I SHALL PROCLAIM IT TO THE WOOOOOORLD! And ... ohhhh ... the melody and atmosphere are just SPOT-ON! Woohooooooo!!!

E-mail me your dreams ... and thoughts about this Randy Newman album ... here.