Billboard
October 12, 1991
Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians
The Roxy, West Hollywood, Calif.
by Criag Rosen
The latest album from twisted English popsmith Robyn Hitchcock, Perspex Island on A&M Records, is his finest and most accessible to date. It
includes the recent Modern Rock hit "So You Think You're In Love", the closest Hitchcock will likely come to writing a straightforward love song.
This newfound accessibility in his music, however, did not spill over into
Hitchcock's live show Sept. 6 at The Roxy.
During the hourlong set -- which didn't begin until nearly midnight, to avoid conflicting with the Jesus Jones date across town -- Hitchcock seemed elusive, even limiting his trademark nonsensical monologs. During one such outburst, however, he declared, "I'm not a hippie, I'm a realist."
Backed by bassist Andy Metcalfe and drummer Morris Windsor, Hitchcock opted to let his Beatlesque Pop do most of the talking. He concentrated on material from his latest effort, but did pull out a few odd gems, including "Balloon Man", from 1988's Globe Of Frogs, and "Queen Of Eyes", which dates back to 1979 when Hitchcock, Windsor, Metcalfe, and guitarist Kimberly Rew were known as The Soft Boys.
Things picked up a bit when honorary Egyptian and R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck (who shunned the MTV Video Music Awards the night before) joined the festivities during the three-song encore.
While the date was by no means a washout, Hitchcock has shown on previous visits that he can deliver much more.
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