Living & Dying in 3/4 Time
Jimmy Buffett's third album,Living and Dyingyielded the hit single "Come Monday," which still ranks among his finest compositions. As wistful and romantic as that number may be, the dominant feeling of the album is gentle good humor, as on songs like the richly detailed "Brand New Country Star," the nostalgic "Pencil Thin Mustache," and a recitation of the Lord Buckley tall tale "God's Own Drunk." Buffett approaches country & western-style topics on "Livingston's Gone to Texas" and "Brahma Fear" without succumbing to the blandness of de rigueur Music City product. "West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown," meanwhile, has to be considered the definitive song of debutante rebellion. It's a thin field, admittedly, but a song worthy of the title nonetheless.--Daniel Durchholz