Obliteration Pie

by

Robyn Hitchcock

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With its cover typeface/color evoking Hitchcock's Ole! Tarantula, Obliteration Pie identifies itself as a companion piece--an expensive one, if you pay full import price for a disc intended for Japan. But OP isn't a "real" album; it's a collection of outstanding odds & ends: tasteful, restrained remakes of classics ("Madonna of the Wasps," "Arms of Love"), alternate takes (a more acoustic "Briggs"), 2 ancient videos, a live track from a classic Bottom Line performance, & strong songs available nowhere else: "City of Women," "Madelaine," "My Dreams Are Scars," and more. Think of OP as an expanded EP and, as such, it's a pleasure: the writing & performances are wonderful.

Unlike the other reviewer here, I was pretty happy with this CD. I didn't pay top import dollar, mind you... I found a used copy for $12.99. The album breaks down as follows:

- 7 new songs recorded in 2003 or thereabouts during the 'Luxor' sessions. The tracks here are bit rockier than the primarily acoustic 'Luxor'.

- 3 re-recordings of songs that originally appeared on the albums Queen Elvis, Eye and Respect. Done in 2005 with Tim Keegan. Enjoyable.

- 3 live recordings, one of which is a typically delightful stream-of-conscious narrative introduction to the song 'My Wife and My Dead Wife.'

- 1 cover version of Lipps Inc.'s 'Funkytown'... an odd choice perhaps, but a bubblegum funk nugget that I've always had a soft spot for.

I was happily surprised by this "rarities" collection; it's not unlike his other "sister" albums 'Mossy Liqueur' and 'A Start For Bram' although maybe not quite as good as either. And once again, I didn't pay top dollar... it is VERY pricey as an import.