Published on Jul 4, 2002
Sometimes it’s the simplest pleasures that are the best. Often,
this is true of music and Marshall Crenshaw is one writer where
this definitely applies. Rhino Records has recently re-released
Crenshaw’s first album (which originally came out in 1982) with the
usual remastering and addition of bonus tracks.
There is absolutely nothing fancy about this album and that is
part of its charm. This is simply a collection of short, catchy
tunes that are played well. One of the ideas behind the new wave
scene was that rock had lost its roots and it needed to get back to
the straight and narrow. Crenshaw’s back to basic approach fit this
idea to a tee.
Because Crenshaw makes it all seem so easy, I can see where
people can take him for granted. And that is the only reason I can
think of that the songs off this album weren’t all over the radio.
In all fairness, the first single, which was the ultra-hooky
“Someday, Someway”, did crack the Top 40, but just barely.
But that song only scratches the surface. There’s also the
clever second single, “Cynical Girl”, the bouncy “Rockin’ Around In
NYC”, the light, the old school R&B feel of “Brand New Lover”,
and even an anthem in the song “Girls…”. Crenshaw may tackle them
all with ease, but if it was so easy to come up so many wonderful
songs, more people would be doing it.
I know it wasn’t the retro feel of
Marshall Crenshaw that turned people off, or else how do you
explain the success at that time of the Stray Cats? Then again,
Crenshaw’s retro feel here is a lot more subtle. There is
definitely a Buddy Holly vibe throughout
Marshall Crenshaw, but he has a way with a song that is
uniquely his own. The one exception might be his faithful rendition
of an old chestnut called “Soldier Of Love”.
Country music could have made a hit out of “The Usual Thing”,
which was definitely a nod to the Everly Brothers in their glory.
Oh yeah, but country music was going through one of its “slick”
phases at the time this album came out.
Leave it to Rhino to add some great bonus tracks, which include
the B Sides from this albums’ two singles, songs that could have
been potential hits in their own right. In fact, “You’re My
Favorite Waste Of Time” has been covered by quite a few artists,
most notably Bette Midler.
There are quite a few live tracks included, and they are all
gems.Buddy Holly’s “Rave On” is an obvious choice, but its
Crenshaw’s soulful side on display in fantastic covers of “Stop Her
On Sight (S.O.S)” and “Look At What I Almost Missed” that are the
highlights.
The bottom line is if you love pop oriented rock, then either
Marshall Crenshaw or his greatest hits package,
This Is Easy: The Best Of Marshall Crenshaw, are absolutely
essential. Crenshaw is just another example of the satisfaction of
simple pleasures.