On the Outside of Outside

Stuck Outside The Mobile
There is so much not to like about Randy Newman.  He fails on the shag-ability front for a start. I’m not sure his voice is much to write home about either. And I have that nagging feeling he’s a real smart arse too. Still, the songs are amazing, as is that most over-used of phrases: the songwriting craft. Randy Newman (Creates Something New Under the Sun) his first album is really special. It’s got Van Dyke Parks co-producing, so that should tell you something. I’m sure the hippies of 1968 hated it, so that’s good enough reason to like it. But awkward fucker that he is, this album has genuine soul. And at times, Randy is yearning. Maybe Randy has been the Paul Shrader of popular song all along.

  • There is so much not to like about Randy Newman.  He fails on the shag-ability front for a start. I’m not sure his voice is much to write home about either. And I have that nagging feeling he’s a real smart arse too. Still, the songs are amazing, as is that most over-used of phrases: the songwriting craft. Randy Newman (Creates Something New Under the Sun) his first album is really special. It’s got Van Dyke Parks co-producing, so that should tell you something. I’m sure the hippies of 1968 hated it, so that’s good enough reason to like it. But awkward fucker that he is, this album has genuine soul. And at times, Randy is yearning. Maybe Randy has been the Paul Shrader of popular song all along.