John Vanderslice: Emerald CityBarsuk: 7/24/2004
I'm pretty sure this album is an analysis of the American political landscape since 9/11, but I can't be completely sure. Vanderslice's lyrics are impenetrable, but lots of references lead me to that conclusion. If I'm wrong, then at least Emerald City is a series of narratives that contain critical analysis of current events as a backdrop. By critical, I don't mean in the judgmental sense, but in the sense of close and thoughtful scrutiny. It's impossible to determine exactly where Vanderslice (or his characters) stands on any issue. Perhaps it's not really important. What matters is that Vanderslice establishes detailed scenes that provide context for the emotional content of his lyrics. As rock singer/songwriter records go, Emerald City is among the smartest and most engaging I've heard.
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