Stand Out Albums has been a showcase for my favorite albums across the vast performers that I love. Covering a little bit of everything from classic rock to country hits, much like Key Movies of My Life, it has been the albums that shaped me. This year, I am taking a slightly different approach by discussing the discographies of my favorite musicians, album by album, in release order.
Last week we discussed the self-titled debut album of the band known as Marcy Playground. Sadly, most people stop with their first album and the hit song Sex and Candy, however, there was so much more. Today, we explore the 1999 album, Shapeshifter.
Why This Album?
If anything of the first self-titled album struck you as something you enjoyed, yet you never took the time to listen to their follow-up entitled Shapeshifter, well, it’s time to correct that mistake. Shapeshifter is an album that is a clear evolution from their introduction to the world with more depth and feeling but still embracing what made their first album so good. Storytelling. Every single song on this album acts as a slice of a story, some reminiscing the beauty of the world around us while others celebrate things as simple as Saturday Morning Cartoons.
Production wise, it’s clear the trio that make up Marcy Playground really wanted to put something out that stepped a little further than that of the folkish feel of their debut album. However, they somehow remain just this side of a perfectly polished album giving the whole experience not unlike a live show. That being said, there is a certain 90’s vibe in this album that, while it dates it somewhat, it is still very comforting. Every time I hear this album, I am transported back to the end of the 90’s, stepping into a new decade, a new century, remembering the good times behind me and ready to embrace the future that is in my grasp. It’s a strange feeling, one of wonder and excitement, but also fear and concern. It’s an amalgam of feelings that make this album something truly special.
Overall, Shapeshifter truly lives up to it’s name. The band shapeshifts into something more, something that sadly, remains relatively unknown to most people even to this day. Sure, Sex & Candy is good, but you haven’t lived until you’ve heard Pigeon Farm. Ha!
Favorite Tracks
All the Lights Went Out
Sunday Mail a simple song about waiting for something that will never come (well, in the 90’s)
Pigeon Farm
Ok, Where do I get it?
This is another that is essentially out of print but you can get it really inexpensively here via discogs or just listen on Spotify. Either way, do it. is good.
Next week, MP3.
Late to the Game 12/28/2021
Thanks for reading, If you would like to read more reviews I have a weekly series called Key Movies Of My Life that comes out every Thursday and also check out some retro tv goodness with the ongoing series Retro TV Reviews here. You can also find a few of my other Music Reviews Here.
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