Does the world have room for another cult hero? If Robyn Hitchcock is added to that list, the answer is a simple yes. Even though the gap between Hitchcock’s fling with the Soft Boys and his solo days seems to be getting wider, he still has it. Jewels For Sophia is full of peculiarities that will tickle you silly.
The first track, “The Cheese Alarm”, causes a scrunching up of the face as Hitchcock runs down a list of cheeses that “happened to me.” Then we have “Viva! Sea-Tac”, an uncanny tribute to Seattle that starts with “People flocked like cattle to Seattle after Kurt Cobain/ and before him the rain.” And “I Feel Beautiful” is a favorite of mine. It strikes me as soulful yet quirky, and isn’t that what Hitchcock is all about? How is this for a line: “I water the tomatoes and think of you/ no one’s watered me the way you do.”
“NASA Clapping” speeds it back up. A few slow tracks laid the red carpet for this one, but it is upstaged by the ageless “Sally Was A Legend”.
The album is fantastic. Enough said. And with assistance from such talented artists as R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, Grant Lee Phillips, and Kimberley Rew, you know the musicianship is way above par. I wouldn’t recommend this for the bubble gum crowd; this album is way too heady for that. However, if you are looking for something that will keep your interest and keep you guessing, this is the disc you’ve been looking for.
PS. Don’t miss the hidden track about Gene Hackman. Classic.
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