Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow is an album by the American musician Jonathan Richman, released in 2001.[1][2] It was his third album for Vapor Records.[3] Richman supported the album with a North American tour.[4]
Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 2001 | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Label | Vapor | |||
Producer | Niko Bolas, Jonathan Richman | |||
Jonathan Richman chronology | ||||
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Production
editThe album was produced by Niko Bolas and Richman; Richman felt that some of his previous albums had been overproduced.[5][6] Richman was again backed by stand-up drummer Tommy Larkins.[7] Ralph Carney contributed on woodwinds.[8] "Vampiresa Mujer" is a remake of Richman's "Vampire Girl".[9] "Give Paris One More Chance" is a new version of a song Richman recorded for Jonathan Sings![10] "Leaves on the Sidewalk After the Rain" and "Maybe a Walk Home from Natick High" are instrumentals.[11] "Springtime in New York" describes walking through Tompkins Square Park.[12]
Critical reception
editReview scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [8] |
Orlando Sentinel | [13] |
The Philadelphia Inquirer | [10] |
Pitchfork | 8.0/10[14] |
The New York Times wrote that "rock's mooniest troubadour veils his wit in a cloud of romantic simplicity."[15] Pitchfork noted that "albums this unpretentious are increasingly rare ... that's what makes Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow so seductive."[14] The Hartford Courant called Richman "so forthright and free of irony that he may be mistaken as a children's performer, he is nonetheless full of unique adult insights."[9]
The Orlando Sentinel praised "My Love for Her Ain't Sad", writing that "the open harmonies in the gut-string guitar solo fall somewhere in the rich middle ground between country, folk and rock."[13] The Washington Post concluded that "Richman can seem a little too stuck in (or on) his own past... Yet there's always the fresh amour of songs like 'Me and Her Got a Good Thing Goin' Baby' to reinvigorate his sorta folky, sorta old-timey rock-and-roll."[16] The Gazette said that "the disc has a rough, deliciously sloppy garage-band feel to it."[6]
AllMusic stated that "the title track is pure magic; its moonstruck words and gently swinging sound, even its cumbersome title, posit an alternative universe in which rock & roll only became more innocent and naïve after the '50s."[8]
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow" | |
2. | "Springtime in New York" | |
3. | "Me and Her Got a Good Thing Goin' Baby" | |
4. | "Couples Must Fight" | |
5. | "I Took a Chance on Her" | |
6. | "Maybe a Walk Home from Natick High School" | |
7. | "Give Paris One More Chance" | |
8. | "My Love for Her Ain't Sad" | |
9. | "Leaves on the Sidewalk After the Rain" | |
10. | "Tonight" | |
11. | "Yo Tengo Una Novia" | |
12. | "El Joven So Estremece" | |
13. | "Con El Merengue" | |
14. | "Vampiresa Mujer (Vampire Girl)" |
References
edit- ^ Reger, Rick (5 Oct 2001). "Jonathan Richman, Saturday at Metro". Chicago Tribune. p. 7.24.
- ^ Labriola, Tony (Nov 12, 2001). "The Week's Best New Music". CMJ New Music Report. Vol. 69, no. 8. p. 5.
- ^ "Jonathan Richman (and the Modern Lovers)". Trouser Press. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Hopper, Kevin (1 Feb 2002). "Rock's biggest wide-eyed optimist keeps the faith". Albuquerque Journal. p. 15.
- ^ Jackson, Blair (Feb 2002). "Jonathan Richman: Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow". Mix. Vol. 26, no. 3. p. 151.
- ^ a b Perusse, Bernard (5 Nov 2002). "Jonathan Richman a modest master". The Gazette. p. D1.
- ^ Simpson, Peter (12 Jan 2002). "Rock". Ottawa Citizen. p. J4.
- ^ a b c "Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow Review by Daniel Browne". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ a b Catlin, Roger (18 Oct 2001). "New on Disc". Calendar. Hartford Courant. p. 6.
- ^ a b Klinge, Steve (9 Dec 2001). "Jonathan Richman Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. H12.
- ^ Eng, Monica (22 Feb 2002). "Jonathan Richman's musical feast". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 12.
- ^ McDonnell, Evelyn (Nov 8, 2001). "Rock". Miami Herald. p. 33G.
- ^ a b Abbott, Jim (2 Nov 2001). "Richman's Lyrics Traipses Touch Heart". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 12.
- ^ a b "Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow Jonathan Richman". Pitchfork. Jan 16, 2002. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Powers, Ann (12 Oct 2001). "Jonathan Richman". The New York Times. p. E27.
- ^ Jenkins, Mark (15 Feb 2002). "Jonathan Richman". The Washington Post. p. WW9.