[.ca] Moss Elixir

From Amazon.com:
Try not to drag out the Syd and Lennon comparisons one more time, OK? By now everyone knows that Robyn has a psychedelic heart. But after umpteen albums, can't we admit that this style is his, not anyone else's? The pure mix of pop, folk, the images that seem to come merrily loping out of left field--that's him. And on Moss Elixir, he's refined the sound, being very spare with his arrangements--a little guitar here, a few strings there-which only serve to point out how strong his material is (as well it should be, given that he's been performing a lot of this live for a while). He's also a guitarist of great talent and restraint; there's plenty he can do, but he prefers to lay back and let the song speak for itself. Take his lyrical images as you want--is "The Devil's Radio" about rock & roll or the rise of those conservative talk radio shows?--the ambiguity can be delightful, and a clear sign of just how far he's come. Look, he's been doing this for the better part of 20 years now. Can't we just admit that he's grown out of everyone's shadow to become a (slightly eccentric) genius in his own right? --Chris Nickson

Way way overproduced, as usual:
I wish he'd resist the temptation. He produces away all the great stuff we hear in his concerts. (I really only like his live albums because of this).

Listen to the Devil's Radio(and this Album)....its Good!:
This would have been a return to form if he hadn't always stayed good. Though it is a slight return to the confessional folk feelings of eye, its also really a melding of the lessons of pop he learned with the egyptians. Most of the songs are more fleshed out, such as Deni Bonet's violin, but not to the point of clutter. The production matches the quiet yet glittering music. All in all one of Mr.Hitchcock's best and fullest albums. That sounds slightly poppy without all the extras. Good Stuff!

It would be 5 stars, but...:
...it's just not suited for everyday listening. I love this record, don't get me wrong. I don't have such a difficult time interpreting his psychedelia like so many others do, so this record really struck me as very heartfelt, honest and very emotional. The lesson I learned with Moss Elixir is that losing someone you love is devastatingly painful, but for better or for worse, you do get over it. However, you just can't listen to an album all about death and mourning all the time...it gets to you! Be sure to occasionally switch to a happier record like Fegmania!

Great album:
Although I love Hitchcock the eccentric, he's not as much in evidence on this album. Nevertheless this, I think, is one of his very best - it never fails to touch me. Its a dreamy but mature meditation on memories and loss, with the feel of a song cycle, perfect for a fall or winter day. Robyn introduces violin on some songs to great effect, and his guitar playing and voice have never been any better. His songwriting remains on par with his best stuff, too - check out: "This is How it Feels" "She was Sinister" "You and Oblivion." And "Heliotrope," sounding like a Childe folk tune, with this great line: "I lie beneath the grass/My eyes are unseeing/My name is gone from all their files...." Sad, beautiful and highly recommended.

A Great One from the Great One:
This is a much more personal album than his A & M records. Gems like "I am not me" and "you and oblivion" only come around once in a lifetime. For those who have heard these songs on "Storefront Hitchcock", this album has a different take, with more fleshing out of the background. I find it thoroughly enjoyable as a "quiet time" record with brains. I recently saw Robyn when he came through Chicago this Spring. He is at the top of his form, and no one should miss him if they have a chance to see him.

• Sinister But She Was Happy
• Devil's Radio
• Heliotrope
• Alright, Yeah
• Filthy Bird
• Speed of Things
• Beautiful Queen
• Man with a Woman's Shadow \oVinyl 17 Inch Only\c\oVersion\c
• I Am Not Me
• De Chirico Street
• You and Oblivion
• This Is How It Feels