Unfollow the Rules: This was just a meh song until the high notes. Those notes ratchet up the skill and also emotion, placing the song higher on the list.
Peaceful Afternoon: I liked the maraca interlude. It gave me something interesting to break up the lovely singing and piano.
This One’s for the Ladies: The wonderland makes me think, Alice, so I like the strumming, and also the teeny bit of experimentalism. There’s just a hint of distortion, and the chorus sounds dreamy. Also, it’s a nice change to hear Wainwright sing from a lower register. Not all the time–but once in awhile is nice.
Early Morning Madness: I like the occasional odd note. And the slight dischord. In much of this album, I feel like Wainwright has gotten a bit too comfortable. The material is beautiful, as always, but rote. This song has a bit of sharpness, that sets it apart. But he also keeps his roots in singing in a sweeping mannar, like his listeners enjoy. And the high note, where there’s a minute of Sargent Pepper, is great! Inclusion of ownnawannapias is always welcome. Seriously, artists, less claps, more ownnawannapias.
Devils and Angels: The piano here is amazing. It’s like restrained frantic, then it does a scale. The beat! Synthesizer-inclusion?! I really like a mix of Wainwright’s theatrical voice, beautiful piano, but a pop of experimentalism. It changes it up a bit, while keeping everything Wainwright excels at. I’m starting to wish this album had started at the Wonderland song, and gone with this more experimental, unique theme. If there was a contest for best song of 2020, this one would easily be in the top 5. Hey, maybe I’ll do that…
Alone Time; More boring again, but at least there’s some displeasing notes to capture attention.
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