Green Pajamas - Narcotic Kisses
(Camera Obscura)
It's tough to pin down exactly why'd I'd recommend The Green Pajamas' latest album Narcotic Kisses, a collection of unreleased and rare songs of theirs, you know an Incidental Music or Pisces Iscariot or whatnot. On first listen I thought it sounded vaguely like a sub-par Olivia Tremor Control. The guitar tone sounded just like that 60s pop, the lyrics were your typical lovey-dovey blah blah stuff I've heard a million times before, the song structures were uncomplicated, but you know what? After a couple listens, I realized, this is a fun album. No, there's nothing challenging, but it's a pleasant album to put on and sing along to, and unless you live your life in some academic void, you definitely need music like this: hummable, easy songs.
The only real complaint, if any can really be made, is the lack of cohesion that other Green Pajama albums have had, but of course, who expects cohesion on an album like this? It's a collection, and I don't think I've ever heard a collection that stands up an actual album. The sequence flows well enough though, so, you know, whatever, dude.
The cover art is evocative of what you'll find inside too. It depicts some 14th century guy kneeling next to a seated woman, about to kiss her, his sword at his side, his lyre or mandolin or whatever at his knees. And it looks realistic. Realism. See, it's an archaic painting about love. Get the analogy? But, you know what, it's pretty, and sometimes that's all you need, plain, uncomplicated prettiness.
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