“I Know You Well” is about a couple that shares a close bond (“Born two of a kind/If it’s on your mind it’s on mine”). “Imperia” honors a band member’s grandfather, a WWII veteran. Trials are temporary on the countrified “Today’s Teardrops” (“Today’s teardrops are tomorrow’s rainbows … We’re gonna see skies of blue”). Beyond that the band doesn’t take itself very seriously at all. More than a dozen neutral cuts range from benign breakup songs to fun nonsense (“I Want an Alien for Christmas”) and offbeat character studies (“Half a Woman,” “Comedienne”).
The singer smokes and drinks to excess at “Janice’s Party.” “The Girl I Can’t Forget” can’t be forgotten because he was too drunk to remember her. References to drugs or alcohol also mar “Killermont Street” and “Elevator Up.” Cryptic imagery leans toward dysfunction on “Karpet King” and “California Sex Lawyer.” “The Man in the Santa Suit” is a cranky boozehound who’s rude to kids.
This two-disc collection is generally positive, frequently silly. Unfortunately, it lapses into darker territory despite a tongue-in-cheek posture. Exercise caution if you choose to let teens venture into Wayne’s world.
