Playing Catch-Up: Part XIX

Artist: Soundtrack
Album: ‘The Bob’s Burger’s Music Album‘
Year: 2017

Like I mentioned on several of my other soundtrack reviews, sometimes the album is only worthwhile if you’ve seen the accompanying movie or show. While the music in Bob’s Burgers is as exceptional as it is pivotal to its exposition, to go on and on about it to someone who may not have seen it would be wasted time. But, for those like me who love and adore the show and all of its musical interludes (even the weird ones) have their own kitsch and charm that make the show what it is.

Track of Distinction: “Bad Stuff Happens in the Bathroom” edges out “Electric Love,” “Kill the Turkey,” and the extremely ambitious and wonderfully executed Die Hard/Working Girl school musical medley beautifully named, “Work Hard or Die Trying, Girl” (scenes for context and because it’s really funny).

Artist: Josh Ritter
Album: ‘Gathering‘
Year: 2017

Sometimes, when an artist lets their personal life compromise the art, a break needs to be had. Ritter experienced that several years ago when his marriage dissolved and he released ‘The Beast In Its Tracks’ and I braced for the end. Thankfully, after two solid follow-ups, this one included, I’m guessing he’s back on track with life and love. Sure, there’s mentions of pain in this album but he is using it to his advantage this time instead of letting it overwhelm him. This is the Josh I know and adore and I hope he sticks around for a while longer.

Track of Distinction: “When Will I Be Changed” with Bob Weir is hauntingly soothing and downright brilliant.

Artist: Bill Withers
Album: ‘Live at Carnegie Hall‘
Year: 1973

This is the album that brought “I Can’t Write Left-Handed” into my life and, for that alone, this goes down as a classic. But, listening to it fully in one go, I found that Bill is a musician of joy. While others might brood and sulk even while performing, there’s nothing but joy coming from Bill. From his stories to his crowd interactions, to his impromptu returns, he proves why he is the man and why he is a legend.

Track of Distinction: “Let Me In Your Life” gets the nod, though his rendition of “Grandma’s Hands” shouldn’t be missed.

Artist: The Lumineers
Album: ‘Cleopatra‘
Year: 2016

There is a time and a place for some good, minimalist music in any repertoire, but too much can get a bit boring. The Lumineers stay in their wheelhouse on their second album giving us some of that jingle-jangle “Hey” folk music that is as obtrusive as it is imaginative. I found myself forgetting I was listening to an album and even went to select an album once only to realize it was playing this album. That’s not usually a good sign.

Track of Distinction: “Long Way From Home” is the most interesting track on the platter and even it doesn’t offer much in terms of variation.

Bill Withers

Album: ‘Lean On Me: The Best of Bill Withers’
Year: 1994

With establish artists that I may not be well-acquainted with, I find a good compilation album is a good way to meet them. Bill Withers is before my time, but some of his songs resonate with me a lot. My best friend included Withers’ hit “Use Me” on a recent compilation and (I hate to admit this) I had no clue that was a Bill Withers song. I knew of the song but not enough to realize it was his. I had been acquainted with the likes of “Just the Two of Us” (damn you, Will Smith for borderline ruining this song for me) and, of course, “Lean On Me.”

this compilation opened my eyes to a few more songs than I had heard of but never connected the dots with, just like with “Use Me.” Such great tracks as “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Grandma’s Hands,” and “Lovely Day.” It all makes perfect sense now that all of these great songs came from one talented musician. It reminds me of a part of a Simpson’s episode.

Homer: “You mean you’re not going to eat bacon any more?”

Lisa: “No.”

Homer: “Ham?”

Lisa: “Nope.”

Homer: “Pork chops?!?”

Lisa: “Dad! Those all come from the same animal.”

Homer: *patronizingly* “Sure, Lisa, some wonderful mystical animal.”

Bill Withers is the delicious, versatile pork of the music industry.

Track of Distinction: “My Imagination.” We all get the girl of our dreams in the end, and some of us need to keep pinching ourselves to remind us that it’s all real.