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The Meat Purveyors picked two out-of-left-field hits from opposite ends of the rock-and-pop spectrum to reshape. "S.O.S" was a smash hit for the Swedish pop group Abba who are experiencing a revival in interest due to the touring musical, Mama Mia, that uses their songs. This softer pop source is offset by "Round and Round," originally a hit for hair-metal band Ratt in '84. I knew right from the beginning Round and round Most tunes follow the theme established by the title, that All Relationships are Doomed to Fail. The crux of the lead track, "Hey Little Sister," is a sister's plea to "not be afraid to come home if it doesn't work out," fearing that her younger sister is trapped in an abusive relationship. The woman in "2:00 AM" has driven her man away and understands why. Although saying she wants reconciliation, she instead continues with the same old cycle. Got a stale bowl of Beer Nuts Just warming this barstool And I know I shouldn't call him In contrast the drinking problem in "Thinking About Drinking" didn't start until after the man left. Hearing that "the pain of a broken heart can be cured by alcohol," the song's narrator starts a self-medication program. Now when she's "not drinkin'" she's "thinkin' bout drinkin'." Nick Lowe's "Without Love" also gets a makeover into the Purveyors' style, a bit bluegrass, a little like an old-timey Appalachian string band, but done with a rock attitude. Since their label, Bloodshot Records, originally coined the term insurgent country, the obvious description for the Meat Purveyors would be insurgent bluegrass. Even if all relationships are doomed to fail, this tune points out why we have to keep trying at love. "Without love I'm incomplete / without love I am not whole / without love I'm barely on my feet / I am dyin' without love." In the continuing search for love, we need to remember that some relationships fail faster than others. In "Love Me Darling," there is hope for the long term, but an understanding that this one may be just for tonight. Love me darling just tonight Try to find true love in your heart One of the disc's cuts doesn't quite conform to the overall theme. "Truckers Speed" is a trucker's explanation for why he speeds. He has a wife and kids he hasn't seen for days, yard work waiting at home, and financial stress that forces him to drive all the trips he can. At least for the moment he doesn't seem to have relationship problems. But eventually something has to give; it doesn't take a fortuneteller to imagine problems in his future. Hopefully it won't result in the ultimate relationship ending related in "I Have a Devil in Me." When I was just a boy I have a devil in me The writers' adage "write what you know" applies to songwriters as much as novelists. The members of the Meat Purveyors (lead vocalist Jo Walston, Cherilyn diMond on bass, guitarist Bill Anderson, and Pete Stiles on mandolin and percussion) have gone through some relationship problems themselves. For a time they had broken up the group. The official word on the Bloodshot Records web site says, "Though they barely tolerate each other these days, the lure of cash and making each other miserable was too strong to ignore. As a result we are happy to present their triumphant curtain call." Sounds like the reunion may be short lived. They're currently on tour in support of All Relationships are Doomed to Fail. If you're interested in seeing them perform live, now is the time. You may not have another chance. *Visit www.bloodshotrecords.com
for order information and the current tour schedule. |
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