A bit of an upturn for
Coyne, this is a song cycle of sorts about a troubled, alcoholic comedian whose life bears some similarity to
Coyne's own experiences. It's a more low-key, unforced affair than some of his previous '90s albums. Sometimes the rough, weathered quality of his voice makes him sound like a male counterpoint to post-Broken English
Marianne Faithfull; at his mellowest moments, he sounds a bit like a very debauched
Van Morrison. On the whole it's one of his gentlest, most compassionate works, though not one of his more impressive. ~ Richie Unterberger