Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3: Goodnight Oslo

Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3: Goodnight Oslo
Robyn Hitchcock is one of the most prolific songwriters of his generation. For three decades Hitchcock has been building a loyal cult following without any type of commercial success. He has been a critical darling, but could he continue to thrill listeners with his 16th studio album, Goodnight Oslo ?
It's hard to answer that question. Anyone who has followed Robyn Hitchcock has no doubt heard everything he is capable of. That is not a criticism of his songwriting but a fact; after 16 albums its hard to do something completely new and unexpected.
Instead Hitchcock assembles an apt group of musicians, which includes Peter Buck of R.E.M., Scott McCaughey of Young Fresh Fellows and Bill Rieflin of Ministry, and creates an album filled with uptempo pop songs. Buck's sweeping arpeggios that have defined R.E.M. paint a perfect tapestry behind Hitchcock's Dan Bejar-type voice.
The quartet never sounds as good as on "Your Head Here". Before the vocals kick in, you could swear it was an R.E.M. song from Fables of the Reconstruction , then Hitchcock kicks in with a deadpan. The song is one of the finest in the Hitchcock catalog.
Goodnight Oslo might not be Underwater Moonlight or I Often Dream of Trains or Element of Light , but it is definitely a more than worthy addition to the catalog.
Rating: 7.3/10
MP3: Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3 "Your Head Here"
Buy: iTunes , Insound