Tracklist (click song title for lyrics)
1. St Germain (5:02)
2. Melancholy Girl (3:13)
3. Questions Without Answers (4:09)
4. Melody of the Rain (3:37)
5. Idiots (MWP/Ann Carlberger) (1:19)
6. Forever (6:02)
7. Say (4:45)
8. Time is Imaginary (5:07)
9. How Can I Help It (MWP/Andy Mason) (3:46)
10. Melancholy God (2:04)
11. To Where I Am Now (3:56)
12. Cascade (3:02)
Credits
Produced by Marty Willson-Piper and Andy Mason
Engineered and mixed by Andy Mason
Recorded at Cammell Lairds Song Building Yards, Stockholm, Sweden, January 1989
All songs written by Marty Willson-Piper, except How Can I Help It by Marty Willson-Piper and Andy Mason and Idiots by Marty Willson-Piper and Ann Carlberger
Direction: Michael J. Lembo/Jill Christiansen, Mike’s Artist Management, New York
Cover Photograph by Caroline Greyshock
Cover Art by Lena Carlberger Magazine/Stockholm
Mastered by Dr. Toby Mountain
Releases
LP – Borderline Records BL001 (Sweden)
LP – Rykodisc/Festival L30346 (Australia) – A limited few came with a printed gold autograph on the cover
CASS – Rykodisc RACS 0114 (USA)
CASS – Festival C30346 (Australia)
CD – Festival D30346 (Australia)
CD – Festival D19271 (Australia)
CD – Rykodisc RCD 10114 (USA, Canada, Japan) – w/lyrics in booklet
Singles released: Questions Without Answers and Melancholy Girl
Rykodisc Press Release:
RHYMES OF PASSION
Rykodisc announces the release of RHYME (RCD 10114/RACS 0114), the second American solo album from Marty Willson-Piper. The album was recorded during January of 1989 in Stockholm, Sweden and features 12 tantalizing new songs from the lead guitarist of The Church.
After nearly ten years of cult status for The Church, last year’s STARFISH was the Australian quartet’s long overdue breakthrough album. Ironically, now that they’re stronger than ever as a unit, the various members are becoming much more prolific as solo artists. Both Peter Koppes and Steve Kilbey have released albums. Neither, however, have met with the enthusiasm afforded the work of the band’s sole Englishman, Marty Willson-Piper. ART ATTACK, his solo US debut on Rykodisc, featured 6 tracks from the import-only premiere IN REFLECTION and garnered high praise from the press (“Warm and intimate with grace, charm, and soul”–Boston Herald. “A brilliant collection of quietly psychedelic, wonderfully ethereal songs.”–Option).
The music of RHYME continues in this vein while exhibiting Willson-Piper’s best songwriting and performing to date. With the help of partner Andy Mason and friends, Willson-Piper has created a stellar album that expresses many moods and textures. He revels in his ’60s psychedelic influences with a tip of the beret to contemporary folk and beyond. “Questions Without Answers” is a perfect example of Marty’s knack for flawless melodic pop. His flair for the dramatic comes through on “To Where I Am Now,” a majestic piece guaranteed to raise goosebumps. “Melancholy Girl” bounces around joyfully in the face of its somber title. Throughout RHYME, the vocals are spellbinding, and the guitars, electric and acoustic, ring true.
The Church is currently in the studio recording their next album. Meanwhile, RHYME provides further proof that Marty Willson-Piper’s spark shines as brilliantly alone at it does in The Church.
