In his ongoing quest to make an album for every record company in the Western World, Graham Parker has now released "12 Haunted Episodes," his 20th album (including EPs and anthologies) on his ninth different label. One could ask, "How does he keep getting signed when he sells so few records?" But one could just as easily ask, "Why does he keep getting dropped when he makes such good records?" "12 Haunted Episodes" is another good one, full of some of the best rock singing this side of Van Morrison and full of songwriting which never tires of wrestling with contradictions.
The paradox that obsesses Parker this time out is this: How can he be an angry iconoclast and a happily married husband at the same time? He dealt with this issue on recent albums by dividing them between Dylanesque rants against society and Smokey Robinson-like paeans to romance. On "12 Haunted Episodes," he integrates the two themes into songs which explore the interface between public discontent and private solace. On "Partner for Life," for example, he pledges fidelity to his wife with a raspy ferocity as if battling off all the distractions and temptations of the world at large. "Next Phase" is a lovely soul ballad which describes how a spouse's love can help one through the trials of the work day. Other songs, such as "Force of Nature," "Loverman" and "Pollinate," introduce a rock'n'roll lust into the context of marriage.
Another song, "Disney's America," turns the recent battle over a theme park in Manassas into a fable of lost innocence. Parker is a marvelous singer and songwriter, but he's not the world's best producer. His unimaginative pub-rock arrangements and his bland, dull sound don't do his songs and performances justice. Nonetheless, it's doubtful any other album this year will bring as much insight and passion to the subject of adult romance.
- Geoffrey Himes
Reproduced with kind permission from Geoffrey Himes.
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