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Mike Doughty
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Haughty Melodic
ATO Records
Release: 5/03/2005
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Rated:
Review by:
Meagan Rockne
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Haughty (adj.): having or showing arrogant
superiority to and disdain of those one views as
unworthy.
By just reading the song titles of Mike Doughty's
Haughty Melodic, the listener knows what to
expect. "Busting up a Starbucks," "His Truth Is Marching
On," "White Lexus" and "American Car," it's obvious to the
soon-to-be listener that this is another politically powered
album, mostly pointing fingers at American politics and big
business.
Haughty Melodic is another politically fueled
album. The majority of the songs have a political message
underlying them, if not overtly. Most of his songs are sung
with seriousness mixed with a bit of sarcasm and irony.
"Busting up a Starbucks" is a prime example of this. Not
everyone had the ability to incorporate James Van Der Beek
and Tia and Tamara Mowry, the twins from Sister,
Sister, into their lyrics and have it not sound like a
Weird Al Yankovic song. "Busting up a Starbucks" is
probably my favorite because I love the melody of it, and
I'm a closeted Dawson's Creek fan, so anything
that mentions the Dawson is ok by me. There is no doubt
that Doughty is a gifted and talented songwriter, but you are
pigeon holing yourself if your best songs on an album are
political statements. Most indie musicians have political
statement songs, but even Bright Eyes put out a love song
as a single.
The album is the sophomore effort for Doughty on ATO
Records. You can hear the influence of ATO Records
founder, Dave Matthews. Most of the songs have trumpets,
acoustic guitars and a sort of jazz/blues vibe underneath.
Doughty even has a duet with Matthews on "Tremendous
Brunettes." Beyond all that, the album is very well produced.
Doughty's voice is the epicenter of the music. If the
instrumentation were stripped away, leaving only Doughty's
voice, the quality, meaning and feeling would remain.
Although, the smoky, rough voice of Doughty can be
irritating by the end of the album.
I'm not a big fan of outwardly political music. I prefer it to be
hidden and multi-layered. I think Doughty might be a little
haughty in his aspiration to regain the fame and recognition
he lost in the dissolution of Soul Coughing. |
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