Lovage: Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By (2001)

::: Just by looking at the title, I'm sure you can guess the overall theme of the album. Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By is produced by the infamous Dan the Automator, under the guise of "Nathaniel Merriweather" with Kid Koala on turntables. The beats sound like typical Dan the Automator (downtempo, lo-fi hip hop), but are crafted to suit the sensual and dirty vocals of Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Peeping Tom) and Jennifer Charles (Elysian Fields). Together they form Lovage, one of my favorite one-album collaborations of all-time. Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By is hard to classify, in that it takes elements from cheesy r&b, hip hop, and lounge music (among other genres). For the most part the album is tongue-in-cheek, but it doesn't come across as a comedy album. I'd say it's part poking fun at lounge music and r&b, and part paying homage to them. Mike Patton's singing is hilarious at times, as he is a bit overly dramatic and cliche, but it fits with the musical style of the album perfectly. Jennifer Charles has probably the sexiest voice I've ever heard. She reminds me of an old-school lounge singer, but more sultry and seductive. Both Mike Patton and Jennifer Charles go a little over the top in their renditions of the genres but it all fits well with the beats of Automator and Kid Koala. So if you like any of the artists involved I'd definitely suggest you check this out. Though it has a sarcastic feel to it, I still think it's a great album. And next time the mood is right, remember the title...

1. Ladies Love Chest Rockwell
2. Pit Stop (Take Me Home)
3. Anger Management
4. Everyone Has A Summer
5. To Catch A Thief
6. Lies And Alibis
7. Herbs, Good Hygiene & Socks
8. Book Of The Month
9. Lifeboat
10. Strangers On A Train
11. Lovage (Love That Lovage, Baby)
12. Sex (I'm A)
13. Koala's Lament
14. Tea Time With Maseo
15. Stroker Ace
16. Archie & Veronica