REVIEW: Timbuk 3, A Hundred Lovers (High Street Records/Windham Hill)

- Jon Steltenpohl

In 1986, the future was so bright that they had to wear shades. By 1989, the spotlight had dimmed, and they were singing about being on "The B-side of Life." Now, in 1995, Timbuk 3 is on the top of their game with their new album, A Hundred Lovers. The only problem is that while Timbuk 3 has gotten better with age, the rest of the world hasn't bothered to notice.

Even while their 15 minutes were ticking down, Timbuk 3 was never your typical group. Their rhythm section was a boom-box. They made their home in Austin, Texas instead of New York or Los Angeles. And, their lyrics were smart and cynical rather than just being trendy. Unfortunately, Timbuk 3 was treated like a novelty band and are now remembered on retro nights at clubs and on the radio as a new wave blast from the past. But, even if they were one hit wonders, fans of Timbuk 3 have followed them through some great studio albums and even a live album recorded in France.

A Hundred Lovers is Timbuk 3's first full album on the High Street Records label. It combines Pat MacDonald's sharp cynicism with Barbara K's harmony and the grooving rhythm section of Wally Ingram on drums and Courtney Audain on bass. Ingram and Audain were introduced on the 1991 album, Big Shot in the Dark. Although the transition from boom-box to band sounded a bit tentative four years ago, A Hundred Lovers bubbles with a rollicking, Austin-based groove that could only come from a full band.

The title track to A Hundred Lovers is an ode to a woman who is "a hundred lovers rolled into one." Among the hundred lovers are "a couple of queens -- Latifah and Divine". On another love song, "Cynical", Pat sings through all of the things he's cynical about except for his love. He sums it all up by saying "I can get cynical about this song I sing. It's just so positive, it must be really shallow." An alternate version of "Cynical" was put on the 1994 EP Looks like Dark to Me, but the version on A Hundred Lovers is slower and smoother.

"Just Wanna Funk With Your Mind" is an awesome song about the darker side of love. On this one, Barbara sings "I don't wanna bump and grind, I just wanna funk with your mind." Her cool, airy voice is set against a low-key rhythm and groove which truly are funky. "Just Wanna Funk With Your Mind" is one of those slower songs that creeps up on you like a puppeteer and forces your body to move whether you like it or not.

Elsewhere on the album, Pat MacDonald takes his shots at his typical targets. "Legalize Our Love" aims at the lack of sexual freedoms and hits the mark with lyrics like "They want to protect us - standards of decency - Condoms for H.I.V. - But what will protect us from prejudice and bigotry?". "Inside Out" speaks from the point of view of a homeless person. The title is from the line, "Some say 'Hi' or smile as they pass. Some just look - Some just laugh - Some give spare change. Somewhere, no doubt, some pull their pockets inside out."

The best aimed bullet of cynicism is aimed at self-righteous Christians. In the song "Prey", Pat sings "You pray on your Bible. You pray on bended knee, and every time you move your mouth, you prey on me." But before you condemn "Prey" as a song against Christianity, the rest of the lyrics show who MacDonald is singling out. Pat explains, "You never pray for peace, you pray for victory. You never pray for love, you pray for abstinence." "Prey" is a slow, acoustic song that is typical of the best of Timbuk 3. The melody and harmonies are sweet yet sorrowful, and the lyrics are straight-forward missiles that hit their mark.

Timbuk 3 is one of those groups that has been quietly making great music for years. Since their debut in 1986, they have grown musically and perfected their sound. With A Hundred Lovers, Timbuk 3 is poised to reclaim some of their lost fame. The album is tight, funky, and accessible. If you've stayed away from Timbuk 3 since you wore those shades, A Hundred Lovers is the album that will bring you back.

For more information on Timbuk 3's A Hundred Lovers, call High Street Records at 1-800-888-8544 or check out High Street/Windham Hill's World Wide Web page at http://www.windham.com.