2fer: Lisa Loeb – Cake And Pie… and Hello Lisa

Here’s a 2fer of Lisa Loeb… I got both of these for $0.99 at Sonic Boom! And fear not, all will be explained as to why they’re combined here… 

The 5th Annual Toronto Expedition Series, Part 21 (CD)

Loeb’s third record continues to prove the power of her songwriting. Co-produced with Glen Ballard, it sounds great. Collaborations with Dweezil Zappa, Randy Scruggs, and Peter Collins add stength to strength.

Every song here is catchy as hell*, and whip-smart. The band backs her perfectly on ballads, folk pop or satisfying pop rock. But don’t be lulled by the beauty here – there’s a knife edge in her words and she’s not taking prisoners. Great!

 

But hang on a minute, she released another record that year! Here’s what happened…

The 5th Annual Toronto Expedition Series, Part 22 (CD)

Loeb moved labels and re-released Cake And Pie as this. New artwork (with legal Hello Kitty usage), three new songs added and four songs from C&P removed… it’s sort of a new album, also sort of not. Call it record 3.5, I guess!

No matter, it’s all still perfectly Loeb, and new tracks Did That, What Am I Supposed To Say, and Take Me Back fit fine. I’m cool with owning both records. Yay!

 

* Check out the bluesy Payback. Yes!

Lisa Loeb – Firecracker

Here’s yet another $0.99 find at Sonic Boom…

The 5th Annual Toronto Expedition Series, Part 20 (CD)

If anyone’s worried the second record sucked, those fears were unfounded. Firecracker is an excellent album. The focus here is more on mid-tempo smart pop and lush ballads, though there is one rocker (Split Second). Loeb’s voice fits perfectly everywhere, sharing still more excellent storytelling lyrics.

I Do is a great opener – I’d say you probably already know it well. But probably my favourite is the album-ender, the fiery, harrowing Firecracker. Now that’s power.