A Man Called (E)

E

Polydor

 

And you think you've got troubles. Picture this if you will. A young child in Virginia, the son of a genius physicist. Neglected, alone and left to his own devices. Instead of becoming a depressed, withdrawn nut that shoots people on the freeway, he channeled his energies into songwriting while becoming quite proficient on several instruments and crafting some top-notch pop music in the process. The feelings of neglect continued though, this time from the major labels. He's quoted as saying,"I have probably the world's largest collection of record company rejection letters... ." He even dedicated this album to,"...all those people who rained on my parade, thanking them for the inspiration." It seems that all the rejection made him even more determined to make it. On arrival in L.A. , the starstuck lad stood on a street corner outside Capitol Records and handed his demo tape to anyone who would take it. After a great deal of persistence, he was finally signed to Polydor and with the assistance of legendary producer Parthenon Huxley, he assembled this album from the best of hundreds of demo tunes.

 

The first cut,"Hello Cruel World" is full of twists, turns and catchy lines like,"Norman Rockwell colors fade, all my favorite things have changed, but what the hell, hello cruel world." Depressed or not there's an hopeful person buried in there somewhere, quirks and all: "Venus de milo grew an arm and old MacDonald bought the farm, say goodbye, hello cruel world." The production is similar to the multi-layered pop that Todd Rundgren is famous for. Catchy melodies, wonderful instrumentation, offbeat lyrics and solid harmonies that pop up in just the right places. Next is "Fitting In With the Misfits," which could be an open letter to his parents. In it he tells them that there's finally a place where he's understood and belongs."Dear Ma, you might find it hard to believe but I think I finally found a home... Now I've got friends that do want me and take me as I am, now I've got friends that do love me, I'm alright with them, Fitting in with the misfits." The short guitar break that appears halfway through the song sounds like Neil Young dropped by the studio and ripped off a quick riff or two. But there are no credits to confirm this. It seems as though "E" wears his heart on his sleeve a good part of the time, as in "Are You & Me Gonna Happen," a refreshing, honest love song if there ever was one. Not too syrupy not too thin. Quite charming, actually. As Goldilocks once put it,"It's just right." You can't help but grin during, "Looking Out the Window With a Blue Hat On" with its lines of,"Oh she comes on like a fog, then she goes out like a neurotic dog" and "Find me an open grave, just push me in, then let me up to live again.", who wouldn't crack a smile? All the while a sense of hopeful innocence is retained. Ya gotta love it. The following cut,"Nowheresville," will most probably be the second single. It's a colorful travelog of hopes, desires and realities."I want to meet a little girl, with french horn lips and introduce her to my trip. I'll make her smile on the Nile, hold her hand in Japan, but last things first for all my plans, I'm stuck in mud, spinning my wheels and I'm all alone on the road to Nowheresville." If this is where he is now, it won't last. He'll make it, one way or the other and continue creating his unique brand of music. The shortest and probably most heartwarming cut is "Symphony For Toy Piano In G Minor." I can see him now. Five years old, in his bedroom with a bust of "Schroeder" on his toy piano, conducting an imaginary orchestra. Lasting a mere 34 seconds, it provides a segue for the second half of a journey riddled with loneliness and despair.

 

Next comes "Mockingbird Franklin," a sad little ditty for a girl who had suffered a lot of pain and although he was a lot like her, she remained unreachable and distant. Heavy stuff? Maybe, but handled tenderness and finesse it works. "I've been kicked around," follows. Floating on an upbeat, happy melody the lyrics belie a darker, confessional underbelly. "I once had a heart, I was ripped from it, chewed up, then spat out like a cherry pit." Still, a hopeful feeling presides and you can't help but tap you foot and sing along. Even when he's miserable. The theme of abandonment and neglect remains center stage throughout the whole album. But a thread of upbeat optimism carries and propels each tune to another plateau of happiness that bubbles just below the surface. This is again reflected in the next to last song, "E's Tune." It kind of says it all. "Don't give up now, I'm almost there." E strives to be happy no matter how bad things might get. Can you blame him for trying? "Scarecrow" closes the album and flows between the final goodbye,(death) and a hope of friendship within the fond remembrance of a failed love. "And when I come around for my goodbyes, you'll be the scarecrow, the one I adore, the one I'll carry with me forevermore." Sad? Yes. But still he hopes for the best. This one could bring a tear to your eye.

 

There's only one problem with A Man Called E and a slight one at that. It's kinda short, clocking in at roughly thirty-two minutes. But that just makes you want to hear it all over again. So, kick your shoes off, hit the repeat button and sing along at the top of your lungs. I'd almost bet even money that E will hear your warbling somehow, wherever he is and crack a knowing smile. If not, you'll at least have a good time bopping around on the couch while loving every minute of, A Man Called E. Keep an ear out for this one. (SC)

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