Come Upstairs

AMG Review of Come Upstairs

William Ruhlmann
All Music Guide

After two albums playing jazz-pop in the style of Paul Simon's Still Crazy After All These Years (and with the same musicians), Carly Simon acknowledged the new wave with Come Upstairs, turning out her version of a power pop album. The title track was frisky and seductive, "Take Me as I Am" was an upbeat raver, and "Them" almost sounded like Devo. Of course, that was only part of the story. Other songs changed the pace, though Simon's emotions were unusually close to the surface throughout. "James" was a final plea to her soon-to-depart husband, and "In Pain" was the brutal cry of someone who sounded like she was. But the album's highlight was "Jesse," Simon's best-written pop/rock song since "You're So Vain" and a Top Ten hit to boot.