Mayo Thomspon- Corky's Debt To His Father[1969]

Mayo Thompson, who you may or may not know as the leader of The Red Krayola(nee Crayola) has a certain je ne sais quoi about him that really draws me toward his work. I think it's the Texas thing. His Texas roots shine strong here, on an album of music that's certainly country, but also very western, as well as postmodern and a kissing cousin of the Velvet Underground's weird new take on rock music.

First of all, this is one of those albums that could be from any era and still be fresh. It's too much of a stew of various genres and techniques to really become irrelevant, and enough of a tongue-in-cheek poke at the same styles it utilizes. Full of odd and jerky, yet organic and hummable melodies and rhythms and memorable, if sometimes goofy, leyrics, Corky's Debt To His Father is a highly unique singer-songwriter album from the highly unique leader of one of the most violently avant-garde rock bands in America during the 1960s.

"Dear Betty Baby" is what I consider a beautiful song- the lyrics and the simply chopped off chords are very heartfelt and affecting.

I can't really pick out favorites here. I'm a little bit doped up and having a hard time typing, but all the tracks here are unique, clever, and catchy. There are a lot of well-planned moments and arrangements, and you'd have a hard time ever pigeonholing this album into a single style. This really deserves a better review, but I just wanted to finally get this favorite of mine posted.