The Noise reviews Do I Love America
The Noise, September 1999
Album Reviews: Joel Simches
Baby Ray has turned into one of those bands that has made everybody's top ten lists of bands to watch, earning high praise and well-deserved accolades for their debut CD, Monkeypuzzle. I don't think there was a single person in the Boston scene, musician or journalist, that didn't check out this landmark powerpop record.
Now, Baby Ray are back with a second helping of their self-proclaimed "pop-gone-wrong" with their sophomore effort, Do I Love America. Using their XTC-meets-Robyn Hitchcock style of unique pop, Baby Ray doesn't simply repeat the formula that made Monkeypuzzle so great, they have refined their song writing formula to a pure art form in it's own right. Listening to each new song unfold carries the same level of excitement and anticipation of opening presents on Christmas day, only without the socks, underwear and fruitcake. Every single track on this record made my ears giddy with glee. The album starts with the open airy, acoustic, and melodically irresistible "Gossamer Riddle," which to my ears sounds like the best pop song Andy Partridge has yet to write. Another standpoint is the pensive "Something Crazy," a song that reminds me of what I enjoyed the most about bands like Buttercup and Piewackit, kind of folksy, but very hooky lyrically, with an easy acoustic lilt to it. The band serves up a dose of alt, country twang with "Olive Novel Love," then gives us a bit of indie rock edge with "Sheep Are My Keeper," and the thoughtful "Solid Grey" reminds me of little a if they had a runaway pop hit. "Wisdom of the Boondocks" is an unabashed pop gem, but with a kind of guitar interplay that made "Marquee Moon" a classic. "Playful Robert" spits a bit of bile at the notion of cynicism with just Erich Groat's guitar and voice respectfully ranting, but playfully goading on a former musical associate. (Anyone know??) If Baby Ray's debut album showed us a band starting to find their niche, this lastest release shows a band who has found their strenghts and squeezes every ounce of potential to ensure that each song has a sound and a flavor all its own. I hope Do I Love America is merely the second stop on a lengthy musical journey that Baby Ray is destined to take.