Jowe Head – Unhinged

Pity the poor crawfish celebrated in song twice on Jowe Heads first album Pincer Movement. By the time of Unhinged it had been relegated as Jowe sang two songs dedicated to the crab - both land and sea.

Yes times had changed and Jowes sound had matured. There were more guitars, less deadpan vocals and the song writing stronger. However there was still the wackiness and eccentricity you'd expect.

Marzipan is the Velvets Heroin for any one obsessed with a Cakeshop Girl. Shoehorn takes footwear cleanliness to extremes. Crab Chorus is the national anthem for a country in fear of the crustaceans, prefacing the Lynch/Badalamenti styled Crabs On Land. Unusual instruments include a toy on Shytown reminding one of Robot Factory by Swell Maps. Istanbul is the most familiar, song being a swing standard and a minor hit for They Might Be Giants fours years previously, appears twice in studio and live form. As Jowe says 'far out'.

Things close with three live tracks sounding stripped down and with an audience of about six (including bar staff). Shame on you Hamburg !

So business as (un)usual, but a bit rockier, almost goth like in places.Unhinged? Possibly but definitely still crazy after all these years.