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"What I wanted was to do the equivalent of a double album with a
simple yet provocative production," writes Elliott Murphy in the
liner notes to his twelfth record release. Though it appears on a single
CD released in Europe and Japan, 12 is the length of an old double LP:
21 tracks in more than 78 minutes. And, like an old double LP, it sprawls,
the songs ranging from reminiscences of childhood and Murphy's days as
a minor-'70s rock star in New York City, to a brief ditty in which he
recites the names of Japanese corporations. There is also plenty of room
for Murphy to reflect on his career as a journeyman singer/songwriter.
"Some say my songs are long and much too complicated," he sings
in "Sicily (Tropic of Separation)," "but they're highly
personal / I say they're underrated." They are also under-produced
on this record as compared to some of his earlier albums, which gives
them a more direct appeal. "I doubt if anyone but me can listen to
all of this in one sitting," Murphy writes, and while that may constitute
an admission that this album would be better if it were shorter by a third,
still it contains some gems. (Originally released outside the U.S. by
New Rose in 1990, 12 was released in an abridged, revised, and re-sequenced
form under the title Unreal City in the U.S. by Razor & Tie in March
1993.) - William Ruhlmann
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