In My Tribe - 10,000 Maniacs

...band 10,000 Maniacs was released in 1987, but still sounds quite fresh today. Dubbed as "college rock", alt-rock or folk rock, the band first came to (moderate) prominence among a wave of other somewhat "alternative" type bands which gained airplay and attention in the wake of the popularity of REM. 10,000 Maniacs, with their richly melodic acoustic/electric blend, intelligent lyrics and memorable tunes, stand out as among the ...
...several of the songs lingered in my memory and I kept thinking, as you do, "I really must listen to that again sometime". There has to be something special about lyrics and melodies that remain in your mind for well over a decade! I finally got around to purchasing the CD a few years ago, and was happy to discover that the songs sounded just as good as I remembered.

The band, as they appear on this CD, comprise Natalie Merchant ... more

The second album from US band 10,000 Maniacs was released in 1987, but still sounds quite fresh today. Dubbed as "college rock", alt-rock or folk rock, the band first came to (moderate) prominence among a wave of other somewhat "alternative" type bands which gained airplay and attention in the wake of the popularity of REM. 10,000 Maniacs, with their richly melodic acoustic/electric blend, intelligent lyrics and memorable tunes, stand out as among the best of such bands. Indeed, Michael Stipe guests on this album (as he does on another, very different album which is also among my favourites, Kristin Hersh's "Hips and Makers").

A little personal history. I first heard this album around 1988/89, taped for me by my then boyfriend on one side of a C90. I listened to it a lot at the time (along with "Lifes Rich Pageant" and "Document" by REM, and the Smiths) but it eventually got lost (as did the boyfriend) and for a number of years I never got around to buying another copy, although several of the songs lingered in my memory and I kept thinking, as you do, "I really must listen to that again sometime". There has to be something special about lyrics and melodies that remain in your mind for well over a decade! I finally got around to purchasing the CD a few years ago, and was happy to discover that the songs sounded just as good as I remembered.

The band, as they appear on this CD, comprise Natalie Merchant (voice), Robert Buck (guitars, mandolin, pedal steel) who sadly died in 2000, Dennis Drew (keyboards), Steven Gustafson (bass guitar) and Jerome Augustyniak (drums, percussion). Natalie has a distinctive, very recognisable singing voice which may not be to everyone's taste, although I like it; the lyrics can on occasion be difficult to make out (though at other times are very clear) - however, I was pleased to discover that all the lyrics are helpfully printed in the accompanying booklet.

Natalie has been accused of being overly serious, and indeed there are lots of "issues" addressed on this album - child abuse, alcoholism, illiteracy, to name but a few. I don't mind that, though. It's quite nice to listen to music that actually has something to say, and the treatment of these issues is never heavy-handed - in fact, you need to listen hard to figure out what most of the songs are about.

"What's the Matter Here?" is an impassioned ditty about child abuse and the dangers of turning a blind eye, set alongside the difficulties of intervening. "I'm tired of the excuses everybody uses, he's your kid, do as you see fit…..but who gave you the right to do this?" sings Natalie, listing all the things she'd like to say to the abusive father of a neighbouring child - but ends with a plaintive "…but I don't dare say it". Depressing stuff, but set to an upbeat, insistent rhythm that carries the song along nicely.

The memorable "Hey Jack Kerouac" takes a sideways look at the Beat Generation, addressing the eponymous Jack in personal terms rather than the icon as which he is sometimes seen. ("A little boy lost in our little world……..") and meditates on the fate of his generation ("of the San Francisco beat boys you were the favourite, now they sit and rattle their bones and think of their blood stoned days").

"Like the Weather" captures the feeling of being at your lowest point, the emotions of depression ("it's such a long time since my better days, I say my prayers nightly this will pass away") , yet is set to a surprisingly chirpy tune.

"Cherry Tree" is another "issue" song, this time speaking movingly of the shame of illiteracy ("needing someone else's eyes to see what's in front of me") and the longing to learn.

"The Painted Desert" is a lovely, melancholic song about regretting life's missed opportunities.

"Don't Talk" is written from the point of view of someone living with an alcoholic, the weariness of the endlessly repeated cycle evident in her words ("I'd rather hear some truth tonight than entertain your lies, so take your poison silently, let me be, let me close my eyes"). Another insistent, memorable melody that sticks in your brain.

"Peace Train", a cover of the Cat Stevens song, appears on my copy of the album but was apparently omitted from the re-release following Islamic convert Stevens' (nowadays known as Yusuf Islam) stated support for the fatwa on Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie. Which is a shame, as it's still a good song, and a terrific cover version.

"Gun Shy" is a sister's heartfelt address to a younger brother who has joined the military ("now you're one of the brave few, it's awful sad we need boys like you……….. I don't mean to hurt you by saying this again, they're so good at making soldiers but they're not as good at making men".)

Slighter than some of the other tracks, the tuneful "My Sister Rose" is a nice observational piece about a sister's wedding day, noting the best man's toast to the happy couple, single girls clamouring for the bouquet and uncles queuing for a dance while Natalie comments with an ever so slightly jaded eye "Sister Rose, take your mother's place……. A list of vows and a veil of lace made a wife of you today" but concludes "you're my sister, Rose, the same".

REM's Michael Stipe guests (briefly) on "A Campfire Song", another song with a great hook and thought-provoking lyrics.

"City of Angels" is an ironic take on the so-called angelic city ("Heaven, is this heaven where we are?")

The album concludes with the remarkable, lyrical "Verdi Cries", on which Natalie gives a great vocal performance over a beautiful, haunting chamber arrangement.

I like the whole album, but - at present, anyway - I guess my standout tracks would be "What's the Matter Here?", "Hey Jack Kerouac" and "Don't Talk"......... although this may well be subject to change..........

Available from Amazon for £7.99 new, or from £2.75 used - bargain!
 

...less