Odds are you haven't heard of Robyn Hitchcock. He's not precisely a household name. Despite his relatively underknown status, he has a strong cult following - ranging from the teens who've stumbled across his albums in thrift stores to middle aged baby boomers who've followed him since 1975 when he fronted the Soft Boys. Today, however, I am offering you all the chance to follow me into the depths of obsession, the depths some have labeled fegmania.

About a month ago I had the chance to see Robyn Hitchcock live in concert. For me, this was no small event. I've been an adamant fan of Robyn since his music woke me from my top 40 induced stupor. This concert, in a small hall, sitting not ten feet from THE MAN HIMSELF, was the achievement of what I fondly call a life goal. So, why the big deal? What makes this guy worth it to anyone but me?

Robyn live is a concert experience unlike other concert experiences. Some artists talk to the audience. Robyn rambles at them, explaining that all men have a nemesis and for example, Don Rumsfeld is dreadfully afraid of bread. He's engaging, he's personal, he's wild. He's not afraid to admit that there are people in front of him. Indeed, he walked through the audience as he sung his last song, ending the evening on a note that most artists wouldn't dare to. If Robyn is coming to a town near you, I heartily encourage you to check it out. The show probably won't cost too much, and it'll be well worth it. He played nigh on two hours that magical night.

Robyn's latest tour was sparked by the recent release of his new album, Spooked in October. Spooked is a collection of songs that emerged from recording sessions with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. The sound of the album ranges from a demonstration of what disco sounds like all folked out in "We're Gonna Live in the Trees" to a Dylan-esque "Full Moon in my Soul" to a spaceport welcome for our extraterrestrial friends - "Welcome to Earth." It is difficult to describe Robyn's lyrics without resorting to the word eccentric, because he does not write the sort of lyrics that one hears from most singer-songwriters. "I'll bring you fat juicy worms, I'll bring you millipedes." "You can cut them down like weeds, but you'll never make them love you." "Movin' out towards the kingdom, all I see is hobgoblins and ghouls." "Honeycombs and principles, ocelots and meerkats, catch you looking stupid, but you just don't care." Robyn's lyrics bring you into a world that moderately resembles the one you left, but is slightly twisted out of shape.

I haven't tired of this album, and I've been listening to it a lot. It's mellow, but not uninteresting. Rich, but not overwhelming. Amusing, but not laughable. Quite simply put, I love it.

I am biased, I admit that much, but if you haven't heard Robyn Hitchcock yet, this is an excellent place to start.

To learn more about Robyn Hitchcock, check out the official website: www.robynhitchcock.com

And an authoritative unofficial website, which includes links to recent live radio appearances: www.robynhitchcock.org

And to purchase Spooked: www.yeproc.com

All Material © 2004 by: Lyn Bethke/Folk It Up, All Rights Reserved