Is it comedy? Is it serious? Tim Minchin's new album straddles the line with varied outcomes...
Let’s begin with the positives. 'The Song Of The Masochist' is a lively track. Its jazzy vibe is enjoyable, featuring a bold, catchy hook that sticks. Fantastic! Similarly, I love the opener 'Understand It' – a reflective, almost spiritual piece with an engaging arrangement that tastefully supports its deliberate message.
Tim Minchin, whose promoters request that I refrain from labeling him a comedian, has released an album of tracks he composed before and during the time he rose to fame in the entertainment world, two decades ago, at the Edinburgh Fringe.
There’s humor present here. 'Dark Side', 'Rock n Roll Nerd', and 'You Grew On Me'—a heartfelt ballad centered on cancer—will be recognizable to anyone with a casual familiarity with Tim's work. Essentially, the nerds.
However, Tim Minchin now seeks to be seen as a serious artist. It clearly bothers him that, despite the global recognition for his comedy and the West End phenomenon of Matilda, he continues to be categorized alongside novelty acts like Bill Bailey, Weird Al, and Tenacious D.
Unfortunately, his serious songs don't quite resonate on this recording. He’s an incredible performer live, engaging and full of sharp wit. But sonically, the arrangements of lackluster ballads like 'Pop Song' or 'I Wouldn’t Like You' seem clichéd and outdated. On the lead single 'Ruby', particularly, there's something in his pronunciation of the title (“Roo-bay”) that evokes the mocking 90s grunge voice he employs in 'Dark Side'. As a satire, it’s spot on. Taken seriously? It feels a bit awkward.
The love song 'I Wouldn’t Like You' is tender and charming, yet essentially replicates what one of his classic comedic pieces, 'If I Didn’t Have You', achieves, just less engagingly.
Honestly, I admire Tim Minchin. He is truly my hero. I even managed to convince this very magazine to publish an interview with him—twice, in fact—just so I could have a reason to chat with him. Hopefully, he won’t read this, although I couldn’t help but notice the quote at the beginning of the Time Machine press pack is taken from an article I wrote. So hey, Tim, if you’re reading—I'd appreciate this album much more if it featured just you and a piano. I’m not sure what the band adds to it. The arrangements feel stiff, the tone too refined, and, with the utmost respect, it recalls another one of your classic comedic songs. "Cheese."
5/10
Words: Andy Hill
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Let’s begin with the positives. ‘The Song Of The Masochist’ is a catchy track. It's pleasingly jazzy and filled with bold, unforgettable hooks. Absolutely delightful.