Marcy Playground has a sound that moves deceptively between big and small. It's generally like folk vocal rock but at times they suddenly crank it up. They don't hide behind lots of noise and crap like so many of today's alt pop/rock acts. That is to say the vocals are right the fuck up in your ear. You're either going to like this guy's voice, or not. But at least you'll get to make an informed decision. Elements of Lou Reed, Cracker, more...
Addendum: I suppose this group has now been replaced by Coldplay for the big soft voice with pleasant harmonization and tax free lyrics.
Marcy Playground (1997)
Track 2 - "double cherry pie" !!
Track 6 - Great
Track 10 - "You might even see a murder..." (good lyric)
Shapeshifter (1999)
Track 6 - Wave Motion Gun 90s re-envisioning of Lou Reed's classic Heroin. Song's got fun lyrics, for those of you who still believe in lyrics. "Wave motion gun" remembers Bowie's "Put your ray gun to my head" on Moonage Daydream. Fun lyrics.
Track 9 - Pigeon Farm is great as is the second version (at the end of the album), which reminds you of either Sgt. Pepper's or I Want to Marry a Lighthouse Keeper. Take your pick.
Worth every penny!, January 7, 2000
Reviewer: J. T. from San Diego
I bought this CD for the first song, "It's Saturday". I was scared that the rest would suck, but I was way off. Every single song sounds so good that I listen to them every day, all of them. I let my friends hear it and now they are always borrowing the CD. This CD is worth the money. Best one I own.
This review is funny. Can you believe this guy actually "let his friends hear it." I've often thought about letting my friends hear an album I bought, but "I was scared."