Chicago Tribune
May 10, 1990
Robyn Hitchcock
Eye (Twin/Tone) ***½
by Greg Kot
No one since John "Working Class Hero" Lennon and Bob "Idiot Wind" Dylan
has sung bile better than Robyn Hitchcock. Here working without his
magnificent backing band, The Egyptians, Hitchcock crafts a solo work
that's the equal of any singer-songwriter album in recent memory. Whether
he's the skeptical observer, commenting on the parade of "Flesh Cartoons"
passing him by, or the tortured participant, Hitchcock is consistently
compelling over 18 songs, accompanied only by guitar and piano. "Queen
Elvis" is a masterpiece of disillusionment; "Executioner" kisses off a love
affair and Live Aid to boot; even the beautiful Chamber Pop instrumental,
"College of Ice", sends shivers.
Ratings:
Excellent ****
Good ***
Fair **
Poor *
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