K, 1993
Acquired: End of an Ear, Austin, TX, Used, 2008
Price: $5
For some reason, I always expect Lois Maffeo to sound like K Records compatriot Rose Melberg (of the Softies). Melberg tends to have a softer, sweeter, sadder voice whereas Maffeo has a deeper, more idiosyncratic voice. Idiosyncratic because well, um, I don't know how else to describe it. Like a less pop-oriented version of Mary Lou Lord, I guess. The best song is “The Trouble With Me,” which is sort of the key to unlocking this record. The first few songs are a bit of muddled female fronted indie-rock-pop until you get that that song and you understand exactly how Maffeo operates. It's a little catchy but it's all covered in a thick blanket of sadness and desolation. The verses are sung over spare plucked guitar notes and Maffeo's voice in a seemingly empty room. Overall this record is a little boring. The chord progressions are usually recycled and yeah, most of the tunes sound like one long mope. However, her version of the Zombies' “The Way I feel in Side” is quite choice.
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