Homeless Brother

This is an album that seriously needs some recognition...of all of the records I've heard from McLean, this one is my favorite. It's different from American Pie, but man, this guy knows how to tell a story. In "Legend of Andrew McCrew", a very sad, mostly true and surprisingly upbeat tribute about the body of an unknown person who traveled with a circus in the 1960s as the mummified man. Despite the creepy nature of the words in this song, McLean makes it incredibly bright when he sings it, so it gives a bittersweet tone. "Homeless Brother", the title track, is a haunting and wonderful song. I honestly don't understand why it isn't a classic: "Somewhere there was a woman, somewhere there was a child, somewhere there was a cottage where the merrigolds grew wild, but somewhere's just like nowhere when you leave it for a while." It's a very beautiful song. "Winter Has Me In Its' Grip" is also a memorable track, it's incredibly soothing and is almost like a lullaby. "La La Love You" is very catchy and upbeat, sometimes a little funny. "Wonderful Baby" is definitely a lullaby, sweet and still meloncholy: "Wonderful baby, I'll watch while you grow. If I knew the future, you'd be first to know. But I don't know nothin' of what life's about. Just as long as you live, you'll never find out." I'm sure I've left out tracks, but it's a wonderful surprise for you to figure out if you get this album.

Incredible that HB hasn't been reviewed. It's a great folk LP w/ all songs super & DM's voice @ its peak. I bought it new as a freshman in college & still spin it decades later. In fact, out of the blue the other day, I found myself singing GREAT BIG MAN. HB is a must for DM fans.