Randy Newman - Harps and Angels

Harps and Angels (2008, Nonesuch) Randy Newman's eighteenth studio album. ****

For a long time, Randy Newman has been quite the unorthodox singer-songwriter. While unique, his voice isn't as pretty as Elton John. While stimulating, his messages aren't as strong as Bob Dylan. During the 70's and 80's, Newman made a name for himself, with such tunes as "Short People" and "It's Money That Matters," among many others. And during these runs he was able to maintain a fair amount of critical acclaim. In the mid-90's, however, Newman transitioned and found strength in writing children's music, as he would write soundtracks for the renowned Pixar films. After all this, Newman has gone back to more of his roots in making Harps and Angels.

Everything here is very simple and presented in Newman's pre-electric blues and ragtime stylings. And his trademark vocals are still as enthralling (and at the same time, goofy) as they've ever been. But here Newman has gone back to making political observations. The difference being that instead of semi-firey blasts of songs like some of his work in the 80's, Newman has the "aw, shucks" approach; mainly, he presents himself as a simple guy who is telling it like he sees it. And it works. "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country" finds Newman sarcastically comparing our government leaders to others of times past, saying how even though they're terrible, they're not nearly as bad as others in history. On comparing Bush and company to the Caesars, remarks "And one of 'em appointed his own horse Consul of the Empire/That's like Vice President or something/That's not a very good example, is it?"

He likens that to solve our education problems we should hire Korean parents for all students, who are "Strict but fair," that the rich are getting richer, and that we should all just smile in the faces of our leaders, as they wouldn't know how to respond. Newman is truly a master of songcraft, and all the tunes here are very delicate, and not all politically charged. "Potholes" is an amusing tale of wanting to forget embarrassing encounters, and "Feels Like Home" is the album's emotionally sweeping closer. While the dynamics are only lighthearted, it's still an album that's for sharing among friends, and Newman excellently portrays himself as the simple old-timer telling stories by the fire. A very welcome entry from an underrated performer. (Laugh and Be Happy, A Few Words in Defense of Our Country, Potholes)