Mike Doughty "Yes and Also Yes"

Because you probably will not want to waste your time reading this I will get to the most commonly asked questions first. It it a good album? Is it worth the time and money (or at least the time?). Yes and Also Yes. Is it different than previous records? Will it be worth my time, and will it change my opinion of Doughty? No, no, and also no. I am not you so I cannot tell you if it will change your opinion of him as an artist, if it is worth your time and money, and I haven’t listened to much else of his catalog to tell you if it is much different from other releases. I did not know what to expect, but I was pleased. My favorite aspect of the first song was the lyrical, and the slight “stuttered” delivery in the chorus was like “Na Na Nothing” to him; the rhythm was also very nice too. “Into the Un” was subtly funky track best played during day or night. Time goes by so fast, and sometimes there are so many things going on at once that sometimes it’s best to take things “Day By Day By” an artist who sounds like he was influenced by early Beck; that strumming pattern and hip hop, or did I trip, pop? With that delivery slightly wrapped with wordplay. Sounds like the perfect song to play, any day, but most effectively for a “Holiday” that is somewhere between Halloween and New Year’s Day. (What Do You Want From Me) it’s the truth I say! Roseanne Cash joins in the fun too, now all they need is you. The next song is a short one that not only proclaims Doughty will mention him by name when he receives his Grammy, but also decided to dedicate this one to someone named “Russell.” If anyone likes driving drums and indie pop raise your hands, and….“Strike A Motion.” If you do not like this song, “Have At It,” or just let it be, it’s not even two minutes you see. If you think the best of the record has past well you are surely mistaken because unlike a good deal of albums it only get better in the second half. “Markelloser Man” is not that bad a song, especially with that accent he expels. It is the one-two punch of a tale of “The Huffer and the Cutter” that even a “Rational Man” can understand, even if love isn’t always rational, and ups the ante. The former has a slow jazz-like approach to its composition, yet does not sound like one (make sense?), while the latter has a real buoyant and spunky rhythm.  “Telegenic Exes, #1 (Hapless Dancers)” has its own charms, even if it followed a tough track to beat. With a title like “Weird Summer” you can only expect something boring, or can you? Mwahahahahahaha. Rapping like a “Vegetable?” Not exactly, but while we’re on the subject his delivery and its accompaniment almost sounds like a lounge-rap improv; he’s not exactly a cucumber, but he’s no potato either. “Telegenic Exes, #2 (Astoria)” sounds like a more sentimental tune; written by someone who sees the world differently. Some of my favorites: Na Na Nothing, Into The Un, Holiday, Strike A Motion, Markelloser Man, The Huffer and The Cutter, and Rational Man.