I wasn't the biggest fan of Kid Marine back in '06 and I still feel that the album was an overall drop in quality from Not In My Airforce and Waved Out. I've heard that Kid Marine was meant as a working class concept album and there is a cohesive theme throughout, but there is also a blandness that may or may not be on purpose given that theme. As with most Pollard releases there are standout moments, such as the wonderful Far-Out Crops or the last part of Town of Mirrors...
I have this feeling that even the "hits" on Kid Marine are a bit of a trick, and really songs like the opening three (Submarine Teams, Flings of the Waistcoat Crowd, and The Big Make-Over) are really just ok songs that stand out here on an otherwise so-so record. I still don't mind listening to it, but I generally like listening to everything Pollard puts out, but Kid Marine is played far less than other options. I'll also note that there are fans that hold this album in high regard, so possibly it simply isn't my cup of tea. Here is the updated ranking:
Among Bob's Best
-- none
Gems
-- none
Almost Gems
07 Far-Out Crops
They're Good
01 Submarine Teams
02 Flings Of The Waistcoat Crowd
03 The Big Make-Over
04 Men Who Create Fright
06 Strictly Comedy
10 White Gloves Come Off
13 Town of Mirrors
They're OK
05 Television Prison
12 You Can't Hold Your Women
14 Powerblessings
15 Island Crimes
Could Live Without
08 Living Upside Down
09 Snatch Candy
11 Enjoy Jerusalem!
Toss-Offs & Throwaways
-- none
-- none
Given the scoring above, the album would get 36 points total (and an average of 2.40).
1 comment:
"The Big Makeover" is such a sweet melancholic gem, among my favourite Pollard-Songs ever!
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