Published on May 15, 1999
It isn’t often that I have been attracted so strongly to a
concept album, especially one with such a cheesy title. But, I got
past it here… I really got past it.
Love Story is widely considered by many fans of Lloyd Cole
to be his greatest. Most site the coherency of theme as well as the
overall greatness of the album. All pieces on this album contribute
to the impression that Cole is an artist who has perfected his
craft. Of course, this isn’t your typical love story – it’s love
done Lloyd Cole style.
The album begins with “Trigger Happy,” a simplistic look at the
beginning of a relationship; it can be related to that early
infatuation stage that most couples experience. In fact, it begins
with sentiments that remind one of this feeling: “I love your head
/ I love the way you hold your head / ’cause you’re young, and you
know it…” This is Cole showing his stuff, backed by soft
guitar and bass. It gives one the feeling of overwhelming joy and
contentment (sort of like Meg Ryan feels when she is riding her
bike with her eyes closed in
City Of Angels…); very much like the beginning of a
relationship.
The next song, “Sentimental Fool,” shows that a relationship
quickly can turn to discontentment due to the unrealistic way
people see each other during the initial infatuation stage. Cole is
in a bar, singing to the bartender: “The more I learn the less I
know / could you make mine straight Absolut? / The more I fail the
less I try / ask not of me the reason why … the woman I love
is not content / the life I made, it ain’t what I
meant…”
Suddenly, though, things seem to clear up when people make their
intentions clear in the midst of what seems to be the end of a
relationship. This is seen in “I Didn’t Know That You Cared.” So,
things go a little awry in a great way … “Love Ruins
Everything” – that is, love changes the drunken grump into a
romantic idiot! “Hey, hey, hey / look at me now / I’m
unrecognizable / My trademark frown / has grown into the strangest
easy smile / And oh, my, my / where did I go wrong? / Ask all my
drunken friends… / “who’s going to carry us home? / who’s going
to drink ’til the morning? / who’s going to carry us home? / love
ruined everything.”” Gosh, he had to go fall in love, and now all
of the friends have lots a companion. This is one of my favorite
songs on the album – it’s giddy and matter of fact, and this
contrasts so well with the title that I have to smile each time I
listen to it.
But NO! Even though they have had this wonderful revelation, she
leaves! Again! For another man!!!!! This time the results are more
dramatic… it is followed by major depression. “Baby”
chronicles this: “She said not to call / said it would be best for
all concerned / if I just all but disappear / But she loves you
best / and I love her nonetheless / so I just listen to the voice
on the machine, singing…”
Sigh, this is getting to be traumatic for me.
Why? Because it gets worse. He sings a little ditty (“Be There”)
to the new guy… and then she MARRIES the new guy. Argh. She
had this wonderfully sensitive man and now she’s marrying someone
else?! It’s a crime, I tell you!! (Yes, I get a little personally
involved in my music.) “Well, they were married in June / she was
gone before the leaves were even turning / she said “Well, I knew
he was a fool, but somehow I / thought my welfare concerned him.” /
Must the one always have to change / whilst the other must always
remain? / Must the cards all be dealt facing down?” Yes, this is
truly an “Unhappy Song,” even though it sounds so bright and
chipper. That makes it all the more bitter.
“Live Lovers Do” chronicles a list of failed relationships after
the “one.” Once again, it’s cheery, happy, characteristic (?) Cole:
happy in the face of adversity of any kind, especially the
relationship type.
But, he finally starts to own up to everything on “Happy For
You.” “Lay your head upon my shoulder / let it rest there for a
while / I guess that I’m still good for something / once in a while
/ And if you need someone to talk to / just give a call I’ll be
around / and if you want me to avoid you / just say the
word…”
In the end, though, he never gets over her. “For Crying Out
Loud,” the last track on the album, makes it clear that all of the
apparent good feelings, and the attempts to run away (like the
suggestion to live on a farm in “Let’s Get Lost,” the second to
last track) don’t cover the fact that she was his one and only. “I
took 15 years / to break your spell / I loved you then / I love you
still / I wake up cold / I wake up wet / my body weak / my mind is
spent / I fill my days / I pay my rent / and I have no need / of
electric light / ’cause I dream the same / dream every
night…”
This album is one of my favorites by Cole. Not only is it an
excellent example of his “sensitive” mentality, but it also seems
very true. Too often, people who write music stick people into
stereotypes when they create their characters: a woman who has been
wronged by her man, a man who has been wronged by his woman, a guy
who just wants to get “jiggy”, a woman in the same position. Not
often does a songwriter make an honest attempt to portray the
relationship as something real, as something personal, as something
which (s)he has experienced. Cole doesn’t place blame… well,
not until the end. And I blame him for making such a tragic CD! I
need counseling after this dang review!!