Cons Some really melodramatic songs that leave me wondering 'why?'
The Bottom Line Buy this album if only for the band's version of Because the Night. You'll grow to love some of the other great tracks eventually.
Full Review
Since striking out on her own, Natalie Merchant’s career has slowly risen. But, we cannot forget where she began…with 10,000 Maniacs.
As the last album to feature Merchant’s vocals, MTV Unplugged proved to be a great swan song. It’s beautiful and touching, yet remains true to the roots of this Jamestown, New York band’s folk and acoustic guitar-driven past. Founded by Merchant and guitarist John Lombardo in 1981, the band released it’s first album entitled The Wishing Chair in 1985. The band was finally met with some amount of success in 1987 with the release of In My Tribe. They followed with 1989’s Blind Man’s Zoo.
MTV Unplugged came about on the heels of 1992’s Our Time In Eden. It was actually recorded while the band toured in support of their fourth studio album. It featured the vocals of Merchant for the last time and actually was released a few months after she departed the band in pursuit of what turned out to be a great solo career. Immediately before Merchant left, the band also performed at the inauguration ball for President Clinton. MTV Unplugged features versions of some of their best-loved tracks like ”These Are Days”, ”Hey Jack Kerouac”, and ”Candy Everybody Wants”. Although, the shining star of the album is a Patti Smith cover called ”Because the Night”.
Following the departure of Merchant, backup singer Mary Ramsey (backup singer on MTV Unplugged) became her permanent replacement. In addition, one of the founding members, guitarist and songwriter Robert Buck, died of liver failure. What is left is this unofficial greatest hits albums of sorts…1993’s MTV Unplugged.
Four songs were originally recorded as part of the band’s 1987 album In My Tribe. ”Like The Weather” is light and delightful for that matter. Merchant sings in her oddly monotone voice. She sounds absolutely wonderful on this guitar-picking masterpiece. It’s a great track. ”What’s the Matter Here?” is more delicate than some of the other songs on this album. The mood is somewhat dire, but as a whole this song proves yet another gorgeous track. I do prefer other, more upbeat, tracks to this one. One of the band’s most popular tracks is ”Hey Jack Kerouac”. This version rivals the original. Merchant sounds wonderful, as usual. Again, I prefer other songs to this one, but it continues to be known as a favorite regardless of what I say. ”Don’t Talk” manages to be emotional and wonderfully executed at the same time. It’s tender and wonderful. Merchant’s vocals backed by a piano and acoustic guitar proves beautiful. One of the best on this album.
The Maniacs recorded just two songs from 1989’s Blind Man’s Zoo for this album. Of course, ”Trouble Me” is also a superb track. Merchant sounds like an angel. Her voice is smooth and this song seems to be executed with extreme ease. ”Speak to me, there’s not telling when it stops or how it ends.” Lovely and wonderful, ”Trouble Me” is a classic. The other song from this album is ”Eat For Two”. As with many other songs from the quintet, it’s very emotional. The lyrics are sad and melodramatic, yet they don’t seem pretentious likely as a direct result of this unplugged format.
As I said earlier, MTV Unplugged was recorded during the time that the Maniacs were touring in support of 1992’s Our Time In Eden. So, it’s no surprise that half of the songs on this album are from that album. Fortunately, some of the band’s most popular tracks are included. The leadoff track is ”These Are Days”. As with the original, it’s an upbeat and beautiful track with absolutely magical vocals from Ms. Merchant. This is a must-listen, and proves to be even better than the original if you ask me. ”Candy Everybody Wants” is also a great track that deserves a place on this album. It’s again very upbeat (something I prefer to the other dour songs from the band). It’s smooth and seems very free flowing, a characteristic that proves the innate talent of the band and Merchant. ”I’m Not The Man” is okay, although I don’t like the mood and tone of the song as well as some of the other tracks. Beginning with a hint of storytelling, ”Gold Rush Brides” is beautiful yet doesn’t manage to connect with me. With a Tori Amos-esque piano solo, ”Jezebel” is hands down the most beautiful track included on this album. It’s a bit too sad and unhappy for me. Although, it’s important to note that Merchant’s vocals allow for even happier song to seem melancholy. Beautiful and wonderful and touching are three good words to describe ”Jezebel”. ”Stockton Gala Days” is a different kind of song and proves refreshing in the wake of all of these other sad tracks. It’s upbeat and wonderful. I personally enjoy this song quite a lot. The final track on this album is ”Noah’s Dove”. Once again, the Maniacs seem pained and emotional. The song is well executed as usual, but leaves the album on a sad note. I would have preferred one of the more upbeat songs to end the album.
I purposefully left my favorite track as the last one. ”Because The Night” was originally recorded by and written by Patti Smith for her 1978 album Easter. But, as well as Merchant and Co. cover it, the Maniacs may as well have been the original hands at work on the song. Merchant sounds so happy and so wonderful on this track. With more energy than the Maniacs usually exhibit, this song is absolutely perfect. With just a simple piano driving the majority of the song and backing Merchant’s ethereal vocal talents. The song builds to a crescendo as it nears the chorus. This is the single best song on this album, and quite possibly in the career of the Maniacs. It’s too bad that Patti Smith originally wrote it. She must have been very honored to have such a wonderful cover from the Maniacs. Here’s a brief sample of these great lyrics:
take my hand as the sun descends
they can't touch you now,
can't touch you now, can't touch you now
because the night belongs to lovers ...
As you can see, this is a great album. There are some songs that while executed wonderfully, I am left caring little about the subject matter of music. But, as a result of some amazing songs including my favorite ”Because the Night”, I will give this album a well deserved 4/5 stars. It wrapped up the collaborative effort of Merchant and Co. with great grace. I recommend this album to everybody who enjoys folky-pop and rock. It’s also an appropriate addition for fans of chick music like Tori Amos, Indigo Girls, and most notably Natalie Merchant as a solo artist.
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