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Written by Nate Dewart Saturday, 26 November 2005 09:53

GET SET GO: ORDINARY WORLD (TSR) 

Backed by eclectic, stripped-down instrumentation, sans electric guitar, Mike TV leads us through a 21-song pop bonanza with smooth yet slightly tattered vocals, juxtaposed with lyrics of resentment and cynicism. It makes me think of Jeff Tweedy possessed by a milder Eminem, realizing that he can be direct and clear with his deep emotional turmoil and still deliver enjoyable music.

In summary, these are unique and refreshing songs because they capture moments of sincerity and sophistication in a not-so-ordinary way. Mike TV has tremendous observational wit around such unhappy topics of self mutilation, murder, and messed-up society, as in the title track, “Ordinary World”: “Mary got knocked up again/She got drunk and slept with her best friend/Ooo-ooo-oooh”. In “I Hate Everyone,” in which the main character almost gets into a fight with a six-foot-three stranger, he chants, “All the people in West/I hate you all/All the people in the East/I hate you all/All the people I hate least/I hate you all.” With the upbeat groove and driving viola riff, it’s a fun and adventurous approach to the bitterness, maintaining a sense of artistry and finesse.

In fact, all the songs on Ordinary World are like this: backed by dynamic layers of chiming acoustic guitar, pretty and sometimes distorted or delayed but ever-tasteful viola, occasional keyboard, and well-grounded foundation of bass and drums.

Still, I believe in the power of a ten-song album. Even for artists blessed with prolific songwriting abilities: If they want their art to be most appreciated as a full body of work, they should stick to the formula, especially if the songs have such a similar tone. Make the listener want more. Sure, it’s great to display your skills and give your fans their money’s worth, but after one too many songs—i.e., the 13th song—they’ll just want to turn you off, at least for a while. Nevertheless, I came back for more, because in the end, Get Set Go equals quality.