Albums I Love: Freak City Soundtrack

Material Issue's 3rd Album

If you’re a fan of power pop, then chances are high that you’re a fan of Material Issue. For me, their debut album, International Pop Overthrow, was right up there with Matthew Sweet’s Girlfriend in 1991. I suspect that most of their reputation these days is based off of IPO and with good reason, as it’s a great collection of songs that’s highlighted by the ones with women’s names in the titles. By contrast, I don’t think Freak City Soundtrack is thought of as much, which is something I hope to combat here. It was their third album and the last before the suicide of lead singer and songwriter Jim Ellison…what could have been. It just had its 30th anniversary yesterday and I’ve been in love with it ever since I got my copy (I didn’t get my copy until a year or two later…who knows why at this point). In fact, if I’m on a road trip with a CD player, I have it with me and have played it many many times driving west on Route 80, usually once we cross into Indiana and I need a pick-me-up to push through the next 2 hours plus until home. Here’s why…

Goin’ Through Your Purse - They come right out of the gate with pounding drums, crunchy guitars, and some grit in the vocals. It’s literally a song about digging through a girl’s purse because you don’t quite trust her, but it’s okay because there’s harmonies and a great guitar solo - twice! That guitar gets a little squonky at the end, which is a perfect lead-in to…

Kim the Waitress - This one is more of a slow burn and yet another woman’s name in a song title. The narrator is obsessed with this waitress and he both loves and loathes. “I don’t stand the ghost of a chance with her/She’s pretty/So pretty/She’s pretty/And it bothers me” is your bridge, which kinda sums it up. Also, shout out to the ride cymbal work on this one.

Funny Feeling - If I had to pick a favorite, it’s probably this song. It starts with just some guitar and plaintive singing before kicking into a stomper. “I get a funny feeling whenever I’m with you” indeed; I still feel that way about my wife over 30 years into our relationship. Plus, this has another great guitar solo.

Your Biggest Fan - How about a blast of harmonies on an “ah?” It sure hits the pleasure centers. Jim is singing about a girl again, of course, and telling her how he understands because he is her, well you know. Some nice sitar in the mix here too.

One Simple Word - We’re back to some crunchy power chords and he wants to be your hero “just like Evel Kneivel.” He’s not going to jump over a canyon, but just needs to hear you say I love you so he doesn’t have to hate you anymore, except he doesn’t really hate you. The drums tell the tale of who that heart beats for.

A Very Good Thing - Mike Zelenko pounds the hell out of the drums and the guitar solo rips. The narrator once again protests too much…with harmonies, of course. He also turns the radio on for solace; I suggest you turn this up for joy.

I Could Use You - Here’s the ballad, full of heartbreak and bitterness and yearning. Ted Ansani’s bass take a prominent role and that ride cymbal is back. It’s a good one.

Ordinary Girl - The bass is important in this one too, which is as slinky as the band gets. The guitar has an almost menacing tone, working as accent throughout except on the solo. “I fell in love with your kiss” and he wants to do more in his room. He has me convinced.

Eko Beach - The pace kicks back up, the harmonies return, and the guitar solo cuts straight through it all. High octane and over at a hair over 2:30.

She’s Goin’ Thru My Head - We get some studio yelling before this one counts in on the sticks and then blasts off. Stacked harmonies abound, there’s a reference to the band Sweet, the 8-track in the car is cracked, yet she keeps going through his head. So does that glorious guitar solo as we hit the fadeout…

Help Me Land - The album closes with this sub-2 minute rocker. “Have you ever been in love/Well, I’ve been in love too/Maybe once, maybe twice/Maybe not with you.” Au contraire, Freak City Soundtrack. I will love you now and forever.