Flash Light

About

The Delaware-born frontman for the trailblazing New York City art-damaged rock band Television released his most accessible solo album in 1987. It's rich with narrative-driven yarns layered with meaning, soaring choruses, icy guitar stabs, and jangly riffs. It’s also full of masterful songwriting and various sadnesses that either complement or contrast Verlaine’s wildly poignant guitar playing. “A Town Called Walker” tells of a girl ominously moving back to her hometown because “folks there are happy bees,” a place where “mama says you mind your pa.” “Say a Prayer” documents the born-into-hopelessness of a guy revealingly named Whitey Black whose destiny is “squirrel food, baby.” The strangely beautiful and rocking “Annie’s Telling Me” uses an inescapable hook to say “wet eyes and smiles” go with “the joy of discovering a new incompetence.” And the steady-rolling “Scientist Writes a Letter” brilliantly sees a “man of science” struggling to articulate love in the context of a heartbreaking Dear John letter. <i>Flash Light</i> also features Television bassist Fred Smith and gifted guitarist Jimmy Rip (Mick Jagger, Jerry Lee Lewis).

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

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