Though obscure, “Extra Pale”and “January Friend” show concern for others. The singer wonders how he managed to win a young lady’s affection on “Black Balloon.”
Dark. Dreary. The band spends lots of time moaning about life’s pain and almost as much embracing dysfunction. In addition to its crude reference to urination, “Dizzy”admires a woman who is “vain,” “cynical” and “dirty.” The angry young man at the center of “Broadway” sits in a bar, drinking away his problems. “Full Forever” is bathed in anguish, and “Bullet Proof” asks, “Would you like to lose control?” Apathy and hopelessness characterize “Acoustic #3” (“What’s the point of ever trying/Nothing’s changing anyway . . . And you bleed just to know you’re alive”).
The band describes Dizzy Up the Girl as conveying “working class angst.” Its lyrics do express a soulful yearning, but one has to wonder whether these guys would grab onto a life preserver if it was thrown their way. Don’t get dragged down.