"28 PLASTIC BLUE VERSIONS OF ENDINGS WITHOUT YOU," Francine (Q
Division)
It makes little sense, which makes perfect sense
The title of Francine's "28 Plastic Blue Versions of Endings Without You,"
a line lifted from the track "Chlorine," is as illogical as most of
Clayton Scoble's lyrics on the Boston band's new release.
But if listeners can't decipher such Scoble thoughts as "There's three
more novelty bars in the freezer/And that's where they're going to stay"
(on the cut "Novelty") or comprehend the ramifications of being "drunk
and barely there" ("Oxygenated") or get the gist of "Ratmobile"
(which includes the line, "I have no idea what I'm talking about"),
they can at least appreciate the quartet's sound.
Improbably, this group with such seemingly random lyrics also leaves an impression
of smart pop along the lines of Aimee Mann or the eels - unassuming and melodic
noise that can flow from lounge ("Inside Joke") to spacey folk ("This
Sunday's Revival") to a reverberating dirge ("13 Years") and
still slide in a slowed-down Beatles riff (the title refrain of "You Won't
See Me" on the track "Silver Plated 606").
It's pretentious and occasionally tedious, but more often than not, "28
Plastic Blue Versions of Endings Without You" is subliminally sublime.
Incidentally, there's no Francine in the group - no women at all, in fact.
Makes sense.
Rating: 3.5