Weightlifting [Deluxe Edition] (2004)

The Trash Can Sinatras' third album, 1996's A Happy Pocket, sank out of sight on a wave of apathy from the record buying public, critics and seemingly, the band themselves. Apart from a hard-to-find EP from 2000, this is the group's first album since and it is a satisfying return to the jangling heights of their wonderful albums, '90s Cake and '93s I've Seen Everything. On their 2004 return to glory Weightlifting the band has thankfully made few concessions to modern times. There are no drum loops, soundscapes, duff hip-hop ... Read More

The Trash Can Sinatras' third album, 1996's A Happy Pocket, sank out of sight on a wave of apathy from the record buying public, critics and seemingly, the band themselves. Apart from a hard-to-find EP from 2000, this is the group's first album since and it is a satisfying return to the jangling heights of their wonderful albums, '90s Cake and '93s I've Seen Everything. On their 2004 return to glory Weightlifting the band has thankfully made few concessions to modern times. There are no drum loops, soundscapes, duff hip-hop tracks or anything that wouldn't have sounded perfect in the early '90s. They also have written a batch of soothingly melodic, achingly pretty songs that may not contain anything as immediate or hooky as "Obscurity Knocks" or "Hayfever" but still pack quite the emotional punch. Francis Reader's voice is the same sweet melancholy croon that it was back in the day and he wraps it around some melancholy gems that will be twanging the heart strings of Trashcan fans old and new alike. The majority of the album's tracks are lovely ballads like "Got Carried Away," "What Women Do to Men," and "A Coda"; the best of them incorporating strings and a Scottish soul feel. Usually the standout, Reader sounds positively angelic and the strings bathe him in sorrowful splendor. "Country Air" is also a splendid cut with some plangent acoustic guitar, loads of atmosphere and some smart soundtrack-y chord changes. The up-tempo songs are darn good too, "Welcome Back" is a powerful opener and statement of intent, "It's a Miracle" combines classic- '90s jangle pop guitars with a bouncing beat and some rumbling tympani, the title track has rich backing vocals and Reader's most intimate and powerful vocals. The song that should be a hit is the glittering "Freetime" with its jaunty beat, winning melody and bells, of course it won't be but what can you do. Play it again and again, one supposes. The only small flaw with the album is the occasional heavy metal guitar solo that stands out like a sore plectrum. That kind of guitar store technique has little place in music as charming and sweetly pastoral as this. Luckily it only rears its ugly mug once or twice, most notably on "Welcome Back." Apart from that, Weightlifting is like a gift to anyone who was left hanging by the band's disappearance. Listening to the record makes you feel like it was 1993 again, in a good way. In a melodic, honest and jangly kind of way. In a way that makes you think "nobody makes records like this anymore." Hey, not too many people made them as good as this back then either. A great comeback that deserves every last bit of attention it gets. [The deluxe edition of the record features two audio bonus tracks: lovely acoustic versions of "All the Dark Horses" and "Weightlifting," and a second disc DVD consisting of the band's March 2004 appearance on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic . They performed five songs "Got Carried Away," "It's a Miracle," "A Coda," "Leave Me Alone" and "Weightlifting" and the footage was taken by the band's cameraman so it differs from what appeared on the KCRW webcast.] ~ Tim Sendra, Rovi Read Less

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  	Edition: 2004, Spin Art CD, Good	Details: UPC: 750078015528 Discs: 2 Label: Spin Art Released: 2004 Alibris ID: 17464999752	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $3.48 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: Trash Can Sinatras. Good. Used-Good Condition. Some signs of use, but nothing that should affect playback. Includes case and original artwork and liner notes when applicable.
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2004, Spin Art UPC: 750078015528 CD See All from $9.36