"That Was the Year That Was" by Tom Lehrer
Released: Some time in the 60s

Usually, when you read a music review by someone who feels strongly about how much they love it, it's an excercise in subjectivity, like some guy from Entertainment Weekly saying that Smashing Pumpkins is the most important band of our generation, or some myopic bullshit like that. You know, the REAL subjectivity, and not just "the truth: explained away by people who disagree as 'an opinion.'" Some of us know there's a difference, and others are afraid of the idea that they'd have to do that much reasoning, and just say "well that's just your opinion." These people never seem to say it when it comes to their OWN interests.

That's where the idea of "MY FAVORITE SONG/BAND/ALBUM IS" is really just an invitation to a backpatting marathon. Sure it's fun to tell others what stuff you like, so maybe they could become interested in it too, but some people are too into the concept. If I liked U2 as a band, and someone said to me, "they suck," it wouldn't matter much to me because that's no problem. However, if I LOVED!!!!! U2 and wanted to marry Bono, and someone told me "they suck," well I might go insane and become obsessed with that evil person for years. Which is really what a U2 fan would most likely do.

Since the internet will let anyone with the weakest grasp of this language do is review any shit they like, with as many lame buzzwords, crossing the line between "I like it" and "it's good." They'll take that opportunity to tell you that their favorite album is "the best one ever."

And so! In that theme, I present to you, Tom Lehrer's "That Was the Year That Was," THE GREATEST ALBUM EVER.

Unlike most reviews like this there are actual reasons other than "it rocks, I like it, it really kicks ass." Logistics are involved.

However, at this point, I shouldn't even bother to explain them. I don't love this album--it's just good. It's up to you to realize that for yourself.

PS: The downside of this is that you may get it and be underwhelmed at how it's just Tom Lehrer on piano, with really witty, funny tunes and lyrics. It's not going to be an epiphany of music reviewing logistics, or a clue tapping into the way the average "Joe loser" mind works when they want to pretend to be "the upholder of great art." Well, that's what everyone else does with their "reviews." Can't we JUST LIKE stuff anymore, without turning it into a stirring, magnificient work of art?

Review by:
John Cable

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