My Room is a Mess arrived in 2003. Crow had a few previous releases, but this one stands out the most to me and I have been giving it continuous play of late. Crow is one part of the duo that is known as Pinback. I reviewed one of their EPs a few months ago, Arrive Having Eaten. In comparing Crow's solo work to that of his partner in Pinback, Armistead Burwell Smith IV whose own solo project, System's Officer, is worth a good listen, Crow's work stands out as being more varied, looser, and less formulaic. Crow's voice and strong song writing carriers this album to much more than what would normally be expected from a solo release. There is a lightheartedness in the lyrics and even within the songs themselves (sound effects from this old Casio Rap Master keyboard that I remember having when I was a kid show up out of nowhere during "Iocane"). Pay specific attention to the layering of vocals and guitar, as the mixing is another strong suit of the album. Songs are fairly short and straightforward, with wonderfully written guitar parts and progressions.
Rob Crow - "Beyond Him"
Crow's smooth vocals blanket this song from beginning to end. The cleanness of the guitar is the other thing that stands out. Initial lyrics are drawn out over clean picking on guitar. Then the next shift is keyed by a little guitar hook that is used often in the song when shifting parts and used excellently towards the end of the song, appearing in layers and sharp quick changes. The vocals change briefly in the middle of the song, and layered as well. The guitar hook mentioned just before appears here, and is followed by a return to the chorus part from the beginning of the song that closes it out.
Rob Crow - "Over the Summer"
The longest song on the album at 3:39. Possibly the catchiest songwriting on the album as well. The guitar progressions on each section are attention grabbers. The vocals, as usual, are sung beautifully over the music. The basic drum track in the background is steady and fits in simple support. There is a break near the middle of the song, where guitar is slowly built while vocals become a little harsher and direct. This changes back into the chorus, which washes over in warm smooth waves.
This album is fairly easy to find online for purchase at Amazon.com in CD form or mp3. He has also released another solo album since this release. Living Well came out 2007 and is available on Temporary Resistance Records on CD and LP. It is also chock full of Rob's eccentric yet endearingly warm songwriting style.
