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Additionally, several songs feature extra singers, both men and women, further enriching the album. The slower, mellow tunes include "February" (one of Dar's most moving songs), "Iowa" (featuring beautiful singing by Dar and Cliff Eberhardt), "This Was Pompeii" (a lovely poem with Pompeii being a metaphor for moments of transition), "Family" (a sequel to "I Love, I Love" about love of family in which Dar overdubs an extra vocal line), "The Pointless, Yet Poignant, Crisis of a Co-Ed" (featuring clever lyrics about activists too high to be active), and the very somber "Mortal City" (almost a short story about two lonely people in a big city).Each of these songs is special in its own way. This was the second album from Dar Williams after "The Honesty Room". Some songs are energetic while others are slower and more mellow or even sad.The energetic songs include "As Cool as I Am" (funky anthem against men behaving badly in mixed company), "The Christians and the Pagans" (funny with a serious message; the pagans are lesbians), "The Ocean" (a poignant duet featuring John Prine), "The Blessings" (a meditation on the consequences, not all bad, of a broken love affair), and "Southern California Wants To Be Western New York" (about the yearning after someplace different). I think you'll enjoy most or all of them. Like its predecessor, it features well written, melodic songs with intelligent lyrics which Dar sings with lots of nuance and sensitivity. While Dar is generally classified as a folk rock singer/songwriter, she actually hails from the suburban commuter town of Chappaqua, 1 hour north of New York and demonstrates a sophistication that you might not expect.The songs on this album are full of variety -- some are acoustic featuring just guitars and string instruments while others feature electric guitar, bass and/or drums.
Great Album. Many catchy songs with wonderful lyrics. Wonderful album. Variety of sounds for all the songs.
Even songs like Christians and Pagans, which would seem to be just a fun song on the outside, has sly drop-ins like references to candy canes made with red dye #3.The whole disc is really solid but other than the aforementioned "The Christians and the Pagans," my favorite song on the disc is "February." Her voice is great, but what really drew me was her songwriting. I discovered Dar Williams on a folk station on launchcast that I selected by accident. "The Christians and the Pagans," happened to be the first song to come on and I have been hooked ever since.
It opens with "As Cool As I Am," THE Dar classic and for good reason. There's humor here with "The Christians and the Pagans" and "Co-Ed." "Family" is a beautiful love song (it's a cover but she does it beautifully).
I think that is what strikes me so much about this album - no matter the tempo or subject matter, every song is full of emotion, perhaps the loving touch of an artist at her best. My favorite song on the album is "Southern California Wants to Be Wetern New York." I can't help but smile when I hear it; it just has so much heart.
If you want to get into Dar, start here (or End of the Summer), and you won't regret it. "February" and "Iowa" prove that she definitely can extended a metaphor.
(After this, you have to hear End of the Summer). The album features some of her most classic songs.
The song perfectly showcases Dar's wit and lyrical abilities (her greatest strengths).
"The Blessings" is about recognizing our blessings in life. "The Ocean" is a very catchy song about getting back to our roots. "The Pointless, Yet Poignant, Crisis of a Co-ed" is a funny folk song about smoking pot. "Mortal City" is another great Dar Williams CD. A great album, with many layers within the songs. "As Cool as I Am" is about ceasing to be jealous of other women. The best song on the album is "The Christians and the Pagans" about a family that is a blend of traditional and new age who sit down for a winter holiday dinner. "February" is a sad song about a couple breaking apart.
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