Cockburn inspired

Press, 22 September 1983, Page 18

Cockburn inspired

BRUCE COCKBURN “The Trouble With Normal” (Big Time BT-7009). A glance at the song titles of Bruce Cockburn’s new album will show that the contents are not for the faint-hearted. Besides the title track, some of the others include “Going Up Against Chaos,” “Civilisation And Its Discontents,” and “Planet Of the Clowns.” You won’t find any insipid material from the likes of Neil Diamond or John Denver here.

On “The Trouble With Normal,” Cockburn has thrown away his acoustic guitar with a vengeance, as the Fender Stratocaster he now favours is played with the vigour that his words portray. Unfortunately the album sleeve doesn’t list either the backing musicians for this album, or the words to the songs. However, in the case of the latter this means listening attentively to this thinking man’s album. Most of these songs deal with the human condition. Although Cockburn is a Christian, much of the material is dark, almost pessimistic, and he is not above using the most unChristian words if he wants to get his point across. There are some great lines mixed up among the songs. On “Planet of the Clowns,” for example, he sings about waves roaring on a beach “like a squadron of Fl6s.” I found “The Trouble With Normal” not to be as

accessible as “Humans” or “Inner City Front.” Nevertheless there are some great songs.

“Hoop Dancer,” which apparently has been stored away by Cockburn since early 1981, is an inspiring song, showing the influence of the modern American poets, coupled with music that sounds like something that Talking Heads would do. The son’g subject is Indian prairie hoop dancers, and the music is kept taut by keyboards and a wailing violin,- which I don’t think either the Doors or David Bryne could match. Perhaps the most direct Christian song is “Going Up Against Chaos,” as side two becomes darker, ending on

“Planet Of The Clowns” and the threat of nuclear war.

But not all the songs are dark. “Candy Man’s Gone,” is more light-hearted in sound, but not in content, and Cockburn’s voice and song structure match Gordon Lightfoot. The most positive track is “Put Our Hearts Together,” asking us to put all religious and racial hatred aside and learn to live together. The words are worth listening to.

“The Trouble With Normal” is that like Cockburn’s other albums, it’s not normal at all. It takes a lot of attentive listening, but it’s worth every second from a genuine artist. NEVIN TOPP.