Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby CD

On Stiff Records in the '70s, Wreckless Eric was the label-mate of Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, and Nick Lowe, and recorded the classic and oft-covered single "(I'd Go) The Whole Wide World." Amy Rigby is an American singer-songwriter who performed with New York bands the Shams and Last Roundup before going solo. The two talents met, married, moved to France, and eventually released this winning collection of largely acoustic-based but sometimes psychedelic rockers. Except for one Johnny Cash cover ("I Still Miss Someone"), all the songwriting is original. The inclusion of synths, processed guitars, and a well-placed bossa nova beatbox give the record currency, but the couple's wit, as on "Another Drive-In Saturday," gives it its edge.

Arranger: Amy Rigby.

Personnel: Wreckless Eric (vocals, various instruments, guitars, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, organ, Mellotron, synthesizer, bass synthesizer, talk box, bass guitar, box); Amy Rigby (vocals, spoken vocals, various instruments, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, melodica, piano, celesta, electric piano, Mellotron, synthesizer).

Recording information: Southern Domestic Facility, France (2007-2008).

Spin (p.94) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Together, they play lovably unassuming pop, mixing jangly guitars, cheesy keyboards, and unkempt voices to chronicle life's small disappointments and pleasures."
Entertainment Weekly (p.70) - "Rigby's voice is butterscotch, Eric's is bitter -- two great tastes that taste great together." -- Grade: A-
Mojo (Publisher) (p.104) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[M]elodically sussed, wyly observed post-'60s pop nuggets are humorous, trenchant and reflective....A triumph of an album."