In a message dated 1/23/2004 6:02:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
audities-owner@smoe.org writes:

<< Since Marshall's new one (2003) didn't make the Audities list I was
wondering what the general consensus was around here.  I thought it was a
very disappointing effort yet if you read the discussion forums on his
website, you'd think it was the best thing he ever did.  I'm a Crenshaw
freak and I was a little saddened that he seems content to segue into
middle age with sappy ballads and punchless pop.  No one expects him to
just recycle his greatest "hit" over and over again but this new direction
is a little too boring for my taste.  Apparently, he also has said he can't
forsee touring again with a full band. >>

Jeff,

As a huge Marshall Crenshaw fan, I have to agree--I bought this one and 
played it maybe once, I think. It was probably my biggest disappointment all year, 
actually. My expectations were diminished somewhat because I saw him moving in 
this direction on "#447", but even though some of that record was made up of 
directionelss instrumentals or bland pop, he also through in some absolute 
stunners like "Television Light", "Dime a Dozen Guy", and "Right There In Front 
of Me". The new record on the other hand... sooo boring, imho. I keep it only 
because it's Marshall and I love the guy. (And I even loved all of his 
mediochre late '80s records, too...) 

Sad to hear he's not going to be touring with a full band again. I saw him 
with a full band in spring 2002 in Somerville, MA and he played two full sets, 
which he CLEARLY wasn't expecting. He was in a very foul mood after being told 
to play for twice as long as he'd expected, and claimed that "the band didn't 
know enough songs to fill that time" so they just played a bunch of cover 
tunes, which was actually fairly cool. Truth be told, even though he was visibly 
pissed and was completely unapproachable after the show (he went straight to 
the bar with a "don't bother" scowl), it was actually a really good show. Now 
I'm glad I went, since it may have been my last chance. --Jason