The Columbian
November 11, 1999
Folk Rock Madman Hits The Aladdin
by Annie Pierce
Robyn Hitchcock, known for his eccentric Folk songs with dark lyrics, will showcase his latest album, Jewels For Sophia, in Portland at the Aladdin Theater on November 17.
A number of songs off Jewels For Sophia dwell on mortal decay -- which is typical Hitchcock. He's included lyrics of death, decay, and the devil in his music since he emerged on the music scene in 1976. Currently, he says he's preoccupied with "flesh that is still warm". Songs such as "I Feel Beautiful" and "You've Got a Sweet Mouth on You, Baby", a vampiric rewrite of Bob Dylan's "She Belongs to Me", set the mood of the album.
Hitchcock originally emerged as a member of the British Pop group Soft Boys. After splitting with the group in 1981, he released his first solo album Groovy Decay with bassist Sara Lee in 1982. Since then he's released I Often Dream Of Trains, Globe Of Frogs, and Perspex Island.
Jewels For Sophia was pieced together from four different sessions: in Seattle with R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and the Young Fresh Fellows; in Los Angeles with Grant-Lee Phillips (formerly Grant Lee Buffalo); and in London with one-time Soft Boy Kimberley Rew. The newer songs are studded with references to Jimi Hendrix, Buzz Aldrin, Gene Hackman, Richard Nixon, and Audrey Hepburn.
Hitchcock's popularity revolves around his live shows. He has developed a devoted audience in America, according to Spin magazine, while he's still largely ignored in his native England.
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