First off, it has to be said that you either love, hate, admire or maybe ponder over Michael Franks' voice. What is less debatable is the quality of the music and the rich lyrics to be found on pretty much all his work. Objects of Desire like other Franks albums utilises 'A' list session bands and some varied flavours. There are some great syncopated grooves with mega-tight drumming by Andy Newmark Harvey Mason and others playing off sensitive bass playing from Francisco Centeno, Mark Egan and others. The guitar work from Niki Moroch and Larry Carlron (No Deposit Love has Carlton at his Steely Dan best) is particularly tasteful. If you like Dragonfly Summer/Blue Pacific this one is for you. If you haven't heard Franks before, give it a chance and try not to immediately dismiss his soft voice and let the whole thing blend into your senses.
I've seen other reviewers compare this album to disco music (referring to it's timing being the end of the disco period). I'm not sure what they have blocking their ears. Yes it is syncopated, yes it has slap bass, yes it has a lot of backbeat, but it it not monotonous and the fills and layering are complex and varied. You have to listen below the polished veneer, believe me it is all there.
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I have to say that this is one of my least favourite LPs by the man. Having said that, it has one of my favourites, if not my fave, on it by te gent !! That track is the fabulous 'Wonderland'. He perfectly captures the mood for what is one of his lyrically better songs (he can be irritating with his naive/samey poetry sometimes) and his humdrum vocal delivery only adds to the track.
But your right Bootlebob, he is has a definite love or loathe quality. I far prefer his ealier stuff (ie. pre-80s) where his tunes are stronger and the musicianship is second to none. I think 'Blue Pacifc ' is the only one I really like after that period, so I'm biased.
Certainly great to see him on a soul/jazz blog where, considering just how productive he has been, he does seem to get by-passed an awful lot.
Great to see you back my man.
Yeah you know i cant stop share great music to ppl
and i gotta keep doing it now since J dayalcrate chaos)Closed his blog he was the one who put me on posting albums
first time on ur site defiently appreciate ya hard work son
Nice painting
good stuff I really like this
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I think no one commenting has actually banged a girl while this was playing in the background (heh). They would have a new found appreciation. Certainly music is fashion and everyone was influenced at that time by disco. Will people in twenty years, say "Good record but it has rapping on it. That was so annoying." No doubt they will and they will be also.
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