White Limousine, the fifth studio album by Duncan Sheik, arrives in stores today and deserves a second and third glance much like the car it is named after.
While the album doesn’t exactly roar, Sheik understands the power behind a respite punctuated by an occasional snarl. The music could never be described as weak or wimpy. The melodies are all ear catching with lyrics to match. The lyrics are both personal and political. And they flow from song to song.
In track three, “White Limousine,” Sheik shows his disapproval of the current administration. He writes, “Who’s the smart guy at the wheel/running out of gas/he likes to wear a flight suit/and fly around for laughs.”
The melody is almost playful but very straightforward with lyrics taking center stage. But this is one of the songs that feature electric guitars but only occasionally.
Another notable track is number 7, “I wouldn’t mind,” with a slightly offbeat melody that catches the listener’s ear with its opening. The song fades into a love song. Instead of over the top declarations of love, Sheik relies on quieter, more relaxed wording to show his devotion. He manages to be both sweet and irreverent at the same time. “I wouldn’t mind/if all my big plans/fell apart left me empty-handed/I’d start again, like new/if you’re with me/ how can I lose?”
“So Gone,” track 11, is also one of the best songs on the CD. The song is so quiet it is almost reverent. With the guitar dueting perfectly with a bass, the song seems to slide over itself.
The lyrics drift from one subject to another and are punctuated by a refrain that says, “How many times.”
Sheik shows off his vocal skills in this song, as he goes from sweet and sincere to almost husky in timbre.
The second track, “I Don’t Believe in Ghosts” features an excellent keyboard. The song is as haunting as its subject matter, which is about the ghost of a relationship.
The CD gets better and better the longer you listen to it until it gets to the point that it is hard to remove it from the CD player. The quiet music energizes while it soothes.
Sheik will be playing at the Bluebird Theatre Jan. 31. The show is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15/$17 day of show and the show is for those over 21.
