Like or Dislike: Juliet

[skcin]

I've had TOSOTM for at least 7 years, and I never paid any attention to this song until a few months ago. I never hated it, it never got skipped when I listened to the CD, but it never did anything for me. It was just kind of there.

Then, suddenly, something clicked (or snapped, whatever ) in my head and I became obsessed! I couldn't get enough of it, started listening to it several times in a row, sought out live recordings (I believe I PM'd Brian J. with a desparate plea for a TOSOTM Tour boot with this tune on it - none of the shows I already had included this tune in the setlist.) It's good live, I only wish the sound was better on the boot I have so I could hear it more clearly.

This is one of the tunes on the album that sounds nice & clear to me, not foggy at all. It's upbeat, and I love the piano (esp. the "tinkling of the keys" I hear in the background at times.) I mainly notice the keys & percussion, which is wonderful. Great use of Stevie's talk-singing (sing-talking? who described this previously - Jyqm? Amber?) The best part is that the talk-singing is nicely mixed with moments of sheer "belt it out" brilliance:

Talk-singing: "Turn to the blue crystal mirror, well as always, it is truthful."
Belting: "Oh, well you see it in the reflection of the real blue lamp
Well tie the connection...get some ribbons and some bows...get back
out on the road

This is a bit of a "cut and paste" song, not as bad as The Nightmare (which I adore despite it's disconnected lyrics) but still. I think I've heard this tune is about her going back & forth between Mac & her solo career & that makes sense - but where the hell does "Juliet" fit in? And the chorus is just OK. That does not deter my love for the lyrics in ANY way, and I must sing along every time I hear it. Love this especially:

"Let the crisis become a bridge...and cross that bridge tomorrow
Well let the time that goes between, baby...
Well let it let go of the sorrow"

The first verse is extremely fun to sing along to as well, the timing of the words with the beat is a bit unusual to me, I like it a lot. Dancing to the beat of some man's ancient drum indeed.