Concrete Blonde followed up their gold record Bloodletting, containing the left-field hit "Joey," with this 1992 release. Walking in London, the band's fourth album, was produced by the band along with Chris Tsangarides and includes guest musicians Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick on bass and Wall of Voodoo's Andy Prieboy on vocals. Johnette Napolitano is in fine voice on Walking in London and the playing is as inspired as ever with original drummer Harry Rushakoff rejoining the band. However, the album reprises many themes from earlier albums with less satisfying results such as the vignette on urban life, "City Screaming." That said, there are some inspired moments. The leadoff track and single, "Ghost of a Texas Ladies' Man," is a hyperkinetic ghost story with eerie vocals and alterna-twang guitar. Both "Someday" and "Long Time Ago" are both slices of bright, singalong pop with an alternative bent. They also succeed on the gorgeous ballad "Les Ceours Jumeaux." Accordion adds to the romantic feel created by the lush background vocals and bilingual lyrics. Overall, a good record but not nearly as pleasing as its breakthrough predecessor.
oh never mind, it's too broad a topic ... but the saga continues, and I'm enjoying the dance. Even back in the days when the lyrics to I Wanna Be Your Friend Again kind of touched a nerve - a couple of hundred moons ago - I couldn't help but find them, and Johnette's delivery, very funny. If we can step back once in a while and laugh at ourselves, well, I think it makes the journey just that...
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I'm pretty wigged out by the stress level in my life these days, but an afternoon of Hallowe'en preparation, and all the last-minute glue-gunning and costume rescue and trying to get some real food into four kids this year, 3 teens and an almost-teen, well, it just did me a world of good. Man, I love this time of year.
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 "Walking in London")
