Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Despite being out of print, "Nearly Human" is Todd in top form - this one falls in my Top 5 Todd albums (impressive considering how many he has released), so don't overlook it due to its obscurity.
After 1985's experimental "A Cappella" (which was weird, yet largely accessible too), Todd took a whopping four years to release this. As opposed to his 80's material, "Nearly Human" has a much more organic sound. In fact, these songs were assembled with a huge line-up of talented people, and recorded live - a major difference from albums like "The Hermit of Mink Hollow" (and others) that Todd performed all by himself!
Thus, the sound is full and even overwhelming at times, loaded with lush layers of instruments and backup vocals. However, this is his most accessible set of songs in a long time, sticking to soulful pop hooks and introspective ballads.
The energetic "Want of a Nail" opens things up with a rousing, blue eyed soul rush; it's like one long hook. There's plenty more upbeat stuff on here, such as his amazing cover of Elvis Costello's "Two Little Hitlers", and the funky "Unloved Children" (which sewed the seeds, lyrically, for Todd's more politically oriented 90's work).
The lush, intricate pop of "The Waiting Game" is surely a highlight - it'll take a few listens to unravel all the details (the beautiful female backing vocals, etc) in the chorus alone. "Can't Stop Running" is another lush, mid-tempo pop/ballad with hypnotizing verses and a catchy, anthematic hook.
The ballads are fantastic too; "Parallel Lines" is heartbreaking and profound, also laced with a powerful chorus. Like many songs on here, this *should* have been a big hit. "Fidelity" has some interesting, thought-provoking lyrics, soulful crooning, and breezy woodwind flourishes (flute, namely). Todd's remake of The Tubes' "Feel It" (which I believe Todd wrote to begin with) is superb, and has a distinct old school soul feel to it.
These excellent songs are all upstaged by "Hawking", perhaps the quinessential 'introspective Todd ballad'. It has that deep, spiritual, soothing feel (like that of 1981's "Healing"), and an absolutely spine tingling vocal performance from Todd.
The album closes with the crazed gospel of "I Love My Life", which, at 9 minutes, does overstay it's welcome a bit. But it made a great encore live (plug: buy the Live in Japan DVD!).
I paid about $30 for this, and it was worth every penny and more. Along with "A Wizard, a True Star", "Liars", "The Individualist", and "Something/Anything?", this album represents Todd at his absolute best.
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