Sal’s Boutique

Andrew Gold built himself a terrific career in the 1970’s. He was an arranger, producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist on countless albums, ranging from Linda Ronstadt’s Heart Like A Wheel to the debut album from Playboy Bunny and one-time Hef girlfriend, Barbi Benton. He scored two Top 40 singles with Lonely Boy and the ubiquitous Thank You For Being A Friend (later used as “The Golden Girls” TV theme song). He came from a famous musical family and he even has the distinction of being the first pop singer to be heard on Mars (you’ll want to check Wikipedia for that one).

Why, with such pedigree, is this album so, well, boring?

Is it that he played virtually all the instruments on virtually all the songs when, in fact, the songs needed the interpretations of others to make them work? (Possibly, though the songs that did include others ain’t so hot, either).

Is it the dry, almost sterile feel of the production? (Possibly…Gold’s voice certainly could have used a touch of the stuff in that box to the left…that’s right, the one that says “r-e-v-e-r-b”).

Or was it the lack of identity behind the songs? (Sadly, it’s hard to hear anything on the record that says “Andrew Gold” rather than “Jimmy Buffett impersonator”).

It would seem that it’s a little of all these: this album couldn’t be drier and less lacking in personality if it tried.

BUY-O-METER

LP ($1.50 at Salvation Army) In this case, I’m a bit regretful.
LP (Not available on eBay) But you can get sealed copy of What’s Wrong With This Picture for $8
CD ($14.88 at Buy.com) Ha Ha Ha
Download (.99 at Amazon) If you absolutely must, buy That’s Why I Love You

With all due respect to Gold, he did release a live album last year that might be quite good; haven’t heard it but would be willing to give it a try.

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