Songs of No Consequence:
Graham Parker
(Bloodshot)

By Geoff Cabin

The sarcastically-titled Songs of No Consequence is Graham Parker's second album for the indie Bloodshot label, and it's vintage Parker. The album is full of the sort of passionate singing and brilliant songwriting that we've come to expect from Parker over his long career.

This is the first studio album on which Parker is backed by his long-time touring band, the Figgs. The Figgs provide the same sort of solid, no-nonsense, and hard-rocking backing on record that they do on stage.

Far from being songs of no consequence, this is, in fact, a particularly strong set of songs. "She Swallows it" is a big, booming ballad with a catchy guitar riff that draws you into the song. "Chloroform" projects an atmosphere of menace and dread. The piano-pounding "Local Boys" is a humorous sequel to "Local Girls." Parkers acerbic wit is in evidence with jabs at the press ("Vanity Press"), radio ("There s Nothing on the Radio"), and aging baby boomers ("Did Everybody Just Get Old?").

Songs of No Consequence is an excellent addition to Parker's distinguished musical legacy.

(Bloodshot Records, 3039 W Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60618 www.bloodshotrecords.com)

Reproduced with kind permission from Geoff Cabin.

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