The Weekly Dig 3.26.03
by Anne Weeks
Vocalist Clayton Scoble has expertly achieved the daydream quality of a perfectly
lilting cadence. This is what makes Francine so enchanting to schoolgirl ears.
The songs define the art of “wistful" – speaking to anyone either
heartbroken or in want – using the best of pop tricks available. Not quite
as catchy as Francine’s first full-length, Forty on a Fall Day, 28 Plastic
Blue Versions ... drops down a notch or two on the energy scale; but not to
its detriment. There are unmistakable bits from producer Jack Dragonetti’s
days of sugarcoated ‘60s electric/sampled/synth/I-recorded-it-in-my-attic
fusion. Again, not to its detriment. Boston is, if nothing else, a clever melting
pot for collaborative local musicians to stir. And thank God for that. It could
be conjectured that this album is but a collection of songs left over from the
Forty on a Fall Day sessions; only twisted ever so slightly to make it seem
like something different has taken place. S’all right. If you got something
good, why change it? Like an indie shoe having stepped in a bubble-gum splash
of pop, 28 Plastic Blue Versions ..., while still steeped in Francine’s
signature intelligent-lyric stance, doesn’t require that you know anything
in particular to appreciate it. It beautifully welcomes your attention. (Q Division)