THE WEBB BROTHERS
Maroon
[Warner Bros-2000]
Sons of legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb ("MacArthur Park", "Wichita Lineman", "By The Time I Get To Phoenix"), Jimmy and Christiaan—who have since added younger brother Justin to the mix—played the Chicago club circuit extensively before going the same route as Jimi Hendrix, Chrissie Hynde and The Strokes: conquer Britain first, then return home as heroes. While things did go rather smoothly in the U.K. (a deal with WEA International; a slot at the Reading festival; hooking up with producer Stephen Street of Smiths and Blur fame), the homeland has not been as kind to the Webb siblings: here in the U.S. they remain virtual unknowns with this full-length release long having languished as a record store bargain bin staple.
The critically lauded Maroon is undeserving of such neglect, for among other things, its catchy, sophisticated pop occasionally suggests a cross between Ben Folds and latter day Flaming Lips (especially on the last third of the album). Lyrically, the Webb Brothers have a finely developed taste for the bittersweet: the hauntingly beautiful "All The Cocaine In The World" takes a "God Only Knows"-type motif and marries it to such musings as "All the cocaine in the world / can’t bring back the girl" (which incidentally, are the song’s entire lyrics). Other highlights include the shoulda-been-a-hit "I Can't Believe You're Gone"; "Are You Happy Now?" and "Marooned".
Engaging and rewarding, Maroon may be just one more in a long line of hidden gems out there, but its dreadful commercial fate does not diminish its power and beauty one bit. Hands down, this is one of our favorites from the current decade. Or any other, for that matter.
[Maroon album cover courtesy of allmusic.com]
