Book of the Month

Song: Book of the Month

Artist: Lovage

Album: Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By

Lovage was a one-off project from producer Dan the Automator, Mike Patton, and Jennifer Charles. It's a tongue-in-cheek "sexy" record, grounded in trip-hop, and to a lesser extent, acid jazz. The beats, by Kid Koala and Automator, are pretty ace but does the joke sustain? Well... I'm actually not totally sure yet.

After an intro, "Pit Stop (Take Me Home)" starts the record and sets the tone. The music again is pretty amazing, but you hear the silliness that just starts. Can ironic sexy still be sexy? I think maybe the entire purpose for the album is to play it (or selected tracks) for friends only to see how long it takes for them to get it.

"Everyone Has a Summer" comes across as a more jazz-laced Avalanches. And "To Catch a Thief" starts out the same until the music really kicks in, and Jennifer begins to sing... suddenly it's a great trip-hop song you didn't know. Maddening really. Further song titles include "Lies and Alibis," "Herbs, Good Hygiene, & Socks," and "Lovage (Love That Lovage, Baby.)" Okay.

And yet... despite my eye roll of a review, I really like this record. "Book of the Month" and "Strangers on a Train," burn with red velvet intensity and could be played without a hint of irony. And when the cover of Berlin's "Sex (I'm a)" begins, and you recognize it, you marvel at how much you vibe with it, despite how unbelievably ridiculous it is. Outrageous.

Yet... it works.

Enjoy.

Book of the Month

Sex (I'm A)

Stranger on a Train