Jewels for Sophia

iTunes Review

Though Robyn Hitchcock first came to attention with the new-wave psychedelia of the Soft Boys and for most of the ‘80s sculpted a similar sound with his backing group, the Egyptians, he has spent much of the ‘90s and onward sporting an acoustic guitar and stripped down arrangements that are almost disquieting in their intimacy. For 1999’s Jewels for Sophia, Hitchcock decided to turn on the electricity and he collaborates here with a number of notable folks, from producer Jon Brion to R.E.M.’s Peter Buck to members of the Young Fresh Fellows, Grant Lee Buffalo, and even his old Soft Boys bandmate Kimberly Rew. From the first tight drum snaps of “Mexican God,” it’s clear that Hitchcock is looking to test the sonic waters. “The Cheese Alarm” adds wayward electric guitar to what sounds like a drum circle gone awry. “You’ve Got a Sweet Mouth On You, Baby” and “No, I Don’t Remember Guildford” indulge Hitchcock’s latter day Dylan fixation with their folksy roots merging with Hitchcock’s moody psychedelic prime. The man never loses his flavor.