Graham Parker

Don't Tell Columbus

2007-04-17

Kicking things off with the Dylanesque "Discovered America" where he throws Christopher Columbus aside and claims to have discovered the real America, Graham Parker applies his razor sharp wit to everything from jabs at England’s royal family, "England’s Latest Clown," to the perils of taking a stand, "Ambiguous," the gulf that can develop in relationships, "The Other Side of the Reservoir", being locked in the past, "Suspension Bridge", and the disastrous consequences of staying the course in the face of evidence that the course is uninformed at best, "Stick to the Plan", which ought to have Karl Rove and his boy President pretty honked off. Clearly, Parker hasn’t mellowed with age and has no intentions of making nice when he sees things that strike him as wrong. While Parker can get a bit wordy for those who like their lyrics delivered in short verses with a repeating chorus he uses everything from doo-wop to crunchy heartland rock riffs worthy of a Mellencamp disc to help all the words find a home in your consciousness. Overall, this is another fine effort from this consistently engaging artist. Smitty

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 10/2003

    Shelby Lynne
    Identity Crisis

  • reviewed 06/2017

    My Record Player
    Come Around

  • reviewed 10/2009

    BRUCE HORNSBY AND THE NOISEMAKERS
    LEVITATE

  • reviewed 06/2005

    Buckwheat Zydeco
    Jackpot!

  • reviewed 04/2007

    COLIN HAY
    Are You Lookin' At Me?

  • reviewed 02/2007

    The Martino Conspiracy
    Hope In Isolation

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.