Review of The Game Of Monogamy Album by Tim Kasher

Thankfully I have never needed to go through marriage guidance, or counselling, or couples therapy or whatever the current buzz words are for failing relationships deemed in need of some external help. I think I only really know one couple with any degree of closeness that has, and that ultimately ended in a failure to 'Work things out'. Tim Kasher has decided he would like to share a whole album themed around the bond of matrimony and how the unfortunate collapse and deterioration can be a very destructive and exceptionally unpleasant business.

This is Tim Kasher's debut solo album, his previous 9 over the last 13 years have been released under the guise of other acts he has fronted, namely 'Cursive' and 'The Good Life'. Known and renowned for his thematic, literary and somewhat lofty aspirations it comes as no surprise that this work should stick broadly to that formula. At times 'The Game Of Monogamy' is more dramatic musical theatre than Pop or Rock, however alternative you may want to spin it. Being appreciated state side for more than a decade does not necessarily mean it is 'Time the UK took some notice' as the publicist would like us to belief.

Tim Kasher The Game Of Monogamy Album


The Game Of Monogamy is very American. It's like Woody Allen, Seinfeld, Frasier et al, all wordy intellectualism over written to death until the origin and spontaneity of the source material is incomprehensible. Rather like watching the U.S version of The Office and knowing that they've simply missed the point of many of the observational gags, or simply that it just doesn't translate to a Transatlantic audience. I simply can't relate (Ooh you have to appreciate that pun, no?) to Tim's crying in your wine, sob-fest of self flagellation. I just wanted to say for the majority of the album...............get over it, pull yourself together, get closure, stop whinging and whining, move on I'm bored now.

In parts you do hear snippets of hope, flashes of Beck or Ben Folds with elements of the Lemonheads thrown into the mix. The trouble is they are too infrequent, passed by rather than visited. Don't get me wrong here I love a maudlin tune more than most, I love to wallow in the misery and despair of eloquently expressed lost love or heart breaking longing. On The Game Of Monogamy you simply wish it over, except for the more upbeat and engaging songs of 'I'm Afraid I'm Gonna Die Here' and 'Bad, Bad Dreams'. The horn sections, hand claps and skipping beat of both tunes showcase the potential of a song writer who will, on the basis of his first solo album, struggle to make the crossover he's looking for.

'Timothy was a sensible citizen........who wrote his own obit reduced to one sentence.........He cast aside his starting eyes for his very own slice of American pie.' I don't like Key Lime pie!

Andrew Lockwood.


Site - http://www.timkasher.com

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