On the cover of the gatefold sleeve vinyl re-issue of Paley and Francis they look like they are starring in a very noir slightly offbeat detective series, starring Michael C Hall and Dennis Franz, who are on the trail of some very nefarious miscreants. They are joined by a supporting cast including Spooner Oldham, David Hood, Harry Stinson and Jru Frazier and introducing Jon Tiven as the Producer. They alternate who takes lead vocals throughout the album.
The album opens with Curse a song full of threat and menace, with strident acoustic guitar and pitter patter percussion as Francis gets ever more threatening.
On The Corner has Reid Paley's grizzled vocals find him waiting, anticipating, hoping and praying on that corner that you'll acknowledge that corner is his, as Spooner Oldham's neo blues piano is full of the pain Paley feels.
Magic Cup is a song for the magic elixir that takes Francis pain away on a stirring tune that tries to stop his life swirling around the drain.
Ugly Life takes us for a stroll on America's darkest streets, with some ringing guitars for company, as Paley tries to enjoy his Ugly Life as portrayed on reality TV.
Seal is a plea for someone to get the message, as the guitar chugs along and the piano performs some magic.
The B-side opens with The Last Song a lament for a wasted life, of a wasted downbeat character that Paley really wishes he could waste some more time with.
Crescent moon is more hopeful sounding, over a spare backing Francis is happy to have that ole Crescent Moon shining above his head.
Deconstructed takes a wrecking ball to a short-lived affair, as Paley gets seduced, serviced and dismissed as quickly as Spooner Oldham's piano solo flies by, his love as brief as Jon Tiven's Sax parts.
Praise be they've let Spooner loose on the Wurlitzer, as this song about a life gone wrong unfolds and Francis does his best to transform her life for the better.
The album closes with Happy Shoes a very bruised love song for Paley to spill his heart out to the woman in the Happy Shoes, Spooner's organ really makes her happier than ever.
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