Chicago Tribune
March 25, 1993
Robyn Hitchcock And The Egyptians
Respect (A&M) ***
by Greg Kot
Respect is far too dignified a title for a record made by an artist scorned. Sure, Hitchcock wants some respect. Wouldn't you if you kept making good Pop records that somehow aren't popular? Respect is yet another in a long line of gourmet Pop confections, with lush production enhancing The Egyptians' expert interplay. On the first and last cuts, "The Yip Song" and "Wafflehead", Hitchcock falls back on an annoying habit -- namely the psychobabble surrealism that endears him to lapsed Syd Barrett worshipers. But in between those duds is one dazzling melody after another. "Arms Of Love", "Then You're Dust", and "The Moon Inside" are poignant meditations and "Driving Aloud (Radio Storm)" is the type of song we should hear more often on Top-40 radio. But "The Wreck Of The Arthur Lee" tops them all. The song's conceit is worth a laugh, but Hitchcock elevates it beyond mere cleverness with his eloquent performance.
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