20/08/02 'Stuck On Love' - The Arlenes

There's not that much to understand with The Arlenes.  The cover of this country album is straight out of 50s America with the track listing hovering next to 'Big Steve' and Stephanie Arlene.  And titles like "Man Of Meagre Ambition" stake out traditional country territory.
But what you should realise is that The Arlenes are from Camden Town, London and have faithfully embraced a variety of influences and a song-writing tradition that might wrong foot other newcomers to the genre.
There are great hooks, melodies and lyrics that you find yourself singing along with.  "Stuck On Love" gets us started with a brisk ode to love's capriciousness followed by the rainy day metaphors in "Into Every Life Falls A Little Rain".  There is unashamed romanticism in "Tell Someone You Love Them" and beauty and depth in tracks that in other hands might sound hackneyed and trite.
The best track is the stunning "Lonely Won't Leave Me Alone", a haunting look at isolation that has you singing along in empathy rather than joy.  It is the highlight in an excellent collection of sweetly dark song writing.

Buy "Stuck On Love" US, UK

Other recommended music;

03/12/02 "Born to Run" - Bruce Springsteen
30/08/02 "Second Toughest In The Infants" - Underworld
22/07/02 "The Gasoline Age" - East River Pipe
05/06/02 "Viva! La Woman" - Cibo Matto
16/03/02 "Lanked Haired Girl to Bearded Boy" - It's Jo and Danny
17/02/02 "New Favorite" - Alison Krauss + Union Station
26/11/01 "Cold Water Music" - Aim
12/10/01 "Fear Of Fours" - Lamb
13/08/01  "De Stijl" - The White Stripes
20/05/01  "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" - Various Artists