Rebecca Pidgeon is a hard working singer-songwriter with ten albums under her belt for labels such as Phonogram, Decca and Chesky Records. She has also released her work independently. In 2019, Pidgeon released two critically acclaimed studio albums, “Sudden Exposure to Light” and “Comfort,” which follow a celebrated recording career with producers such as Thomas Bartlett and Larry Klein that includes the releases “Slingshot” (a Grammy award winner), “Behind the Velvet Curtain” (used on the soundtrack of the film Redbelt), “The Raven” (used on the soundtrack of the film Phil Spector), “Tough On Crime,” and others. Independently, she released the acclaimed albums “Blue Dress On” and “Bad Poetry.”
Her recently released “Songs of LA” has 12 songs and runs for 40 minutes. It is an exploration of elements of LA’s filmmaking, the good and the seamy. Many of the tracks were written, I believe, on the autoharp. The album has actually been out since February, but as I am currently on holiday, I have been listening to some albums in my intray that I never got to hear. This one I felt like reviewing, so here it is!
My review:
“Happy Botton Club” has a very interesting title. It has a simple rhythm with dark curtains falling over the melody, which means it retains a more sombre feel.
“Everybody Learning to Fly” opens with a fast drum beat and I think I may have chosen to open the album with this one. It moves with alacrity and really is in a hurry, turning in at two and a half minutes. It’s poppy in a slightly psychedelic way.
“Valjean” changed direction and almost reminded me of something Dusty Springfield may have done. It reflects on a romance gone, touches on a domestic scene and tells the story of how he holds court in his living room. It hints at some biographic touches lyrically. It’s a decent album track.
“Big as the Sea” is dreamy, like the sea, I suppose. It was not one I really got into, although I was fine with drifting through it. I liked some of the musical innovations and the sea sounds at the end.
“Murder in My Room” I did like. It has this big sound that brings out the drums again and has an easy confidence and a strut about it. I liked the chorus as well, it has a nice radio friendliness about the track and I’m sure that the commercial stations will pick it up. It’s good driving music on a warm evening.
“Cry,” I think, is being released as a single. It is about a breakup caused by infidelity from the other. The vocals at points are almost spoken, then lift up into a powerful chorus. It’s a highly emotive song, representing the pain of the emotion.
“The Magical Blend” is more upbeat. It has this beat to it that takes you to tropical nights (and days). There is a flow to the track that makes you move to the rhythm. It has a sense of wanting to be performed live and I hope it gains wings in performance.
“12733” has an unusual title. I liked the vocals a lot here and the track itself benefited from a second listen. “In my special ink, I left a note for you,” Rebecca sings, and the lyrics turn and twist imaginatively. A good one!
“Una Y Otra Vez’ refers to the three candles burning low. It has religious overtones, flowing through a range of emotions. I found myself closely paying attention to the lyrics, it was interesting and Rebecca plays with the story.
Of the album, Rebecca has said: “I was writing and creating scenarios, little worlds that I could inhabit from my own imagination or from things that I’m inspired by, either movies, artists or stories I’ve read. It’s the same impulse as wanting to inhabit a character, which is at the root of the desire to act. These songs don’t come from a personal place like some writing I do…”
“Eyes Wide Open” returns to a rocky, indie feel. It has a touch of some of the earlier material found in Rebecca’s early work. The vocal interplay and slightly primal feel make the track retain interest throughout.
“China Lake” is more ballad-like in feel and slow. It presents the red dress and lipstick and gives a Hollywood feel. It is a slightly dreamy number, touching the moment.
“Sex Magic” closes on a multi-instrumental number with lots of interesting little sounds and touches on this one.
Overall, I came to this album knowing Rebecca from her 2004 album “Tough on Crime,” which is still in my CD collection and gets a few plays. I haven’t listened to her other work. This album is an accomplished indie-rock outing. It has some high points, but there are no tracks I would have left out, it retains interest in each number. Each track has its own heart. I’m glad I spent time to hear it through, and I recommend you give it a listen too. The link to stream it is below.
Standout tracks: “Murder in My Room” and “12733”
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You can stream music by Rebecca Pidgeon, including this album, here
By Lorraine Foley