ive lost it

oh, is that the “love” band???

Ok, so I have listened to West at least three times all the way through and then the songs in various order. Before the album was released I had heard all of the songs live except “Mama You Sweet” and read the various reveiws from the media pre-realese of the album. I think now I can draw an opinion of West.
1. Are You Alright (5:18) My first impression of this song, first heard live at the Fillmore, was this is a simple message delivered from the heart. When you are concerned about someone you love all it takes is this simple phrase to let them know you care. The music mirrors the phrase perfectly and allows focus on the message. Very sweet, original and soulful perfect opener.
2. Mama You Sweet(4:44): This track starts out with a similar simplistic phrase and then takes off into verses that are as poetic and visiual as ” I Envy the Wind”. I needed at least four or five listens to get the scope of this one. A song of regret? Only Lucinda can purge such feelings with a warm soul. The sonic textures, apparent on most of the album, begins to shine at the end of the lyrics. a very pleasant ending to another great piece of writing.
3. Learning How To Live(5:11) The perfect song to decribe the time spent afetr breaking up with someone you onced loved. It is public knowledge about what most of these songs are about, but Lucinda had not spoken word about what is going in this album, these songs would obviously speak for her. I think this is a classic Lucinda song and keeps with her original musical formula, that works so well.
4. Fancy Funeral(4:14) Absolutely an outstanding song, ripe with honesty and true life experience. Reading the story of this song in the Rolling Stone interview makes her point even more poignant. I love this song for its message, nothing “can bring back what you ‘ve lost.” Once again, the production and music are very clean and non-obtrusive with the words.
5. Unsuffer Me(5:40) Easily my favorite song on the album! Powerful, is the only way to describe seeing and listening to this song live. Lucinda sheds old skin(relationship) and comes out clean, refreshed, wiser, and with perfect perspective on life. Eerie bass line, whineing guitar, and descending violen are a perfect match for the gutting words. The organ is a nice touch as well, again fantastic musical texture taking place.
6. Everything Has Changed(4:53) If “Unsuffer Me” is shedding the skin then this song is the words written on the dead skin. The excitement of the being in love is over and nothing seems the same. I can’t fathom how Lucinda can write the perfect words to describe a situation, a marvolous gift! The guitar picking and strings seem to float with the words, another gem.
7. Come On(4:53) The most criticized song on the album with prases like “immature” being tossed around left and right. My thoughts are completely opposite. I think this ode to the over-sexed rock songs of bands like Motley Crue, is great, and a welcomed laugh. Lucinda’s sense of humor is orginal, and “Come On” lightens the mood a bit on this album. Hearing this live also helps because Lu belts the pharse “Come On” showing true vocal strength.
8. Where Is My Love?(5:22) Melancholy, is the word that comes to mind when I listen to this song. The story is a little sweet, a little sour, a little soft and a little hard. The violen is absolutely spot on, a little reminscent of some Niel Young stuff. The themes in the album are really apparent by now.
9. Rescue(5:34) Sonically, this is my favorite track. Subtle, smooth and dark. Hal Wilmer and Lucinda work well as a team on this one. This song is very dreamy to me and floats weightlessly throughout. The words are powerful here too, and the signs of breaking through the walls of a “tumultuous relationship” are clear and concise. Also great live!
10. What If (5:41) Ok, I’ll admit I really was not fond of this one the first time I heard it. I think it was some of the lyrics that threw me off a bit, but it has really grown on me. The strange imagery of this semi-political song has a unique lyrical statement. I find some hope in it, whimsy and again Lucinda’s sense of humor.
11. Wrap My Head Around That(9:06) I heard this song the first time she played live at the Fillmore and fell in love with instantly. Very smart and fun to listen to. We also get some samples of Lucinda throughout the song which are a brilliant choice in my opinion. A great bass line and hear the complete textural blanket woven from a new sonic fabric. It may sound a little cheesy, but I think Lucinda really branches out musically on this album. The wordplay is amusing and I remember laughing at a few lines at the Fillmore that night.
12. Words (3:32) How approriate to write a song about words and what they mean to Lucinda. Her genuine passion for writing and words shine in this little ditty. Short, sweet and to the point, “Words” became another instant favorite inb this album. The music is light and pair perfectly with meter of the lyrics.
13. West (5:44) Finally the album’s title track and the perfect ending to a soulful heartfelt ride. This is the perfect driving through the desert song. I think she described a song, once, as being “stone country”, a perfect description of West, I think. Musically simple, but as brilliant as anything I have ever heard of Lucinda.

Thanks Lucinda