Instant Convert
John Cullom | Washington, DC USA | 08/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw Jill Sobule open for Billy Bragg and was immediately won over. In the front row, there was a girl 11-14yo that knew all the lyrics, and Jill brought her up on stage to sing a song (Cinnamon Park, I think), and it stole the whole show. Ms. Sobule played the event perfectly and I'm sure it made the girl's year and was a very warm moment for the whole audience.
Unfortunately, Billy Bragg had to follow this, and W.C. Fields is right, never follow dogs or children. The show was a disaster as he kept obsessing out loud about how he was going to top the event. His solution was, shall we say, less than spectacular and I'll leave it at that. My opinion of Billy Bragg has not recovered from that concert, and that's too bad; his songs and the recorded delivery of them are genius.
The event did highlight however what a great live performer Ms. Sobule is, I bought this album, and all the songs are great (I can't remember the last time I could say that). She's incredibly witty, funny, and has a real gift for a pop tune. She's also dark behind a completely smiling act, and that's deeply appealing. I would say, if you like Dan Bern, you'll like her and vice versa, but how many people is that going to help? Both artists will cure what ails ya."
So Freaked Out
James B. Wilkinson | New Orleans, LA, USA | 10/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this after I heard "Cinnamon Park" in the mall. It's nice to see this nerdy pseudo-folk singer proving that she can do the hell out of pop music.
Before I bought the album, I remember wondering if the whole thing sounded like "Cinnamon Park." I pretty much knew it couldn't. "Joey" is another up-tempo number that comes pretty close.
The rest of the album is pretty melancholy. Several songs, such as "Last Line," are as sad and poignant as they come. I guess the closest thing I can compare these songs to is Aimee Mann, but that's an imperfect comparison that doesn't do either woman justice.
"