Downtown

Downtown, by Marshall Crenshaw

While it does not enjoy the eminence in the canon of Crenshaw's debut album, Downtown is another fine example of what MC does best, to wit: gorgeous melodies, concise yet polished wordplay mostly focusing on affairs of the heart, and a pre-Beatles rock 'n roll sensibility in both sound and spirit. The level of craftsmanship brought to these songs' composition and performance is reflected in a notable absence of the extraneous and gratuitous. Among many highlights, romantic obsession is conveyed with scary intensity on "Little Wild One (No.5)"; a lover's kiss off to his mate is given a humorous treatment on "I'm Sorry (But So Is Brenda Lee)" and the depths of remorse are explored on "Lesson Number One". As always, Crenshaw's guitar playing is a model of elegant soulfulness. Simpatico instrumental assistance is provided by notables such as Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta, G.E. Smith, Mitch Froom and T-Bone Burnett.
-David