Chris Whitley - Poison Girl

[AZJonnie]

6. There's 4 GLB albums and about 12 GLP solo albums, so it can be a pretty deep dive

But what I'm saying is, I highly advise a spin through Mighty Joe Moon, top to bottom, one session. On headphones that can do bass, or better yet, a nice hi-fi with a subwoofer. Bassist Paul Kimble (also the album's producer) plays a lot of LOW bass, and it is such a key part of the sound (esp songs 1 & 4). Of course, if you like to indulge in whatever, indulge first

Actually I recommend 2 times in fairly close succession because the hooks in this album take a couple times of hearing and all of a sudden it clicks and they're like ... indelible. It's not a concept album like Dark Side, but it has a consistent feel and vibe, like something is developing at all times, like you're going somewhere, carried along by a rich tapestry of melody and instruments (the three dudes play like 15 instruments total) that regularly breaks out into stunning gothic vistas. And with a really good sound system, the overall sound of it is amazing. So, it's Dark Side-ish. But also Whitley-ish

Love when I get to the last song on MJM, with the whole thing before being so good and it's like the simplest track, sonically, of all of them. And I end up going "damn that might be the best song on it" Rock of Ages, just an 'all time' closing track. MHO, anyway.

Their debut Fuzzy is also excellent, some say their best. Album 3, Copperopolis ... bit of a dud. Album 4, Jubilee is also very worthy, though a lot more polished and commercial-sounding. It has a handful of stunners (Songs 4-10 in particular are kickass), and most of the rest are at least good songs, but a lot of it has a heavy 90's alt-rock sound. Again, best song might be the last, The Shallow End.

AFA solo albums, start with Virginia Creeper, then The Narrows.

This one from Fuzzy is one my favorite songs ever, I know every word to this long-ass story off the top of my head lol. And it's pretty reminiscent of Chris to me. You have to be into listening to the 'story of a song' generally to like it though, otherwise it's a bit of a dirge. The lyrics, and the tale, are freaking greatness.