Sad songs say so much.  Long, intricate, sad
songs say even more if they are done well, and Best
Boy Electric does them well indeed.


There is no getting around comparing "Songs of
Latitude and Longitude" to a Red House Painters album,
which is unfortunate in a way.  Being compared to the
Red House Painters is like being compared to your
girlfriend's favourite movie star -- flattering to be
sure, but you just know you're always going to pull up
a little bit short.


Best Boy Electric *does* come up a little short
of the Red House Painters or the American Music
Club -- but that should in no way mar this album.  It is
beautiful, utterly beautiful.


The album contains 8 long, slow, sullen, intricate
songs that deal with loss, alienation, and
disillusionment.  What separates it from other albums
along similar lines is that it's good.  The
instrumentals are pretty, the vocals are engaging and
the lyrics range from good to exceptional.


"Songs of Latitude and Longitude" is not something
you want to put on if you're in a hurry -- it demands a
lengthy time commitment and, for the first few
listens, quite a lot of concentration as well.  But
it's well worth the effort -- in fact I have heard
little lately worth more effort, or that pays off so
well after a careful listen.


Lovely.