Lost in the Wreckage #2

Queen of the Planet Wow

I don’t have to tell you the world ain’t spinnin’ right. And in accord with that, and everything else, the great big turntable ain’t spinnin’ the right platters either. I like some of what’s new (not a whole lot tho) I’m not a ranting old crank, (well maybe I am) but at least, some things ought to be in rotation that aren’t. That’s what these Lost in the Wreckage posts are about. In the wreckage of civilization as we know it, stuff gets lost. The Library of Alexandria is a good example. The Spotify top 50 list is another.

I direct you away from that overall onslaught of corporate consumerism to an incredible EP that came out in 2024, by Andy Partridge and Chris Braide, called Queen of the Planet Wow. Andy Partridge of XTC fame collaborated with noted singer/songwriter/producer Chris Braide on the project, who has produced or written for many current artists including Sia, Lana Del Rey, Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Christina Aguilera, Selena Gomez, David Guetta, Halsey, Wrabel, Marc Almond, Beth Ditto, Yuna and Beyoncé.

So two stellar resumes creating what was apparently a dream project, with its Bandcamp page stating, “This EP is the result of a nearly decade-long journey, with songwriting sessions starting in 2014 and culminating in 2023. Through regular Zoom calls, Chris and Andy meticulously crafted each arrangement, pouring their hearts and brains into this project.”

Queen of the Planet Wow / Full Album (Bandcamp includes a bonus track)

The result is one of the best records to come out in 2024. All killer, no filler. From the opener, “I Like Be With You,” we get a very XTC-ish sound and song structure, with Partridge’s characteristically clever and at the same time heartful lines.

I wanna run in your fun shine   I wanna splash in your sun shower
I wanna sip of your moon wine  I like be with you

Removing the word to from the song, rather than the expected “I like to be with you,” creates a childlike grammar that serves the song perfectly. Chris Braide sings all the songs here, and while at first I missed Andy’s voice, Braide’s suits the material well, a sweeter, smoother voice than Partridge’s.

“Woman at a Spinning Wheel” is again a very much an Andy Partridge melodic ballad, lush and built on an ongoing metaphor, a goddess woman quietly weaving life, the stars and constellations from her spinning wheel.

“Queen of the Planet Wow” is the standout, a retro swing song with cocktail piano and smooth jazz guitar, cool as a fingersnap from The Rat Pack.

instead of an alien space ship    you step from an old French car
you've only traveled twenty miles   and not from a distant star
you’re a highly developed life form, that’s clear  
as queen of the planet wow, you’re welcome here.

“Rain on a Burning Day” again sounds very Andy, with its imagery and overall song metaphor - a gorgeous melody, beautifully sung.

ooo, like welcome rain    ooo I’ll grow again ooo, let me explain, 
with your sweet love my desert blooms and…
oh, dear love  you're rain on a burning day
oh, dear love  you washed all my hurt away

“Map to Eros” is an instrumental, featuring guitar from Partridge, showing off just how good a soloist he can be.

The final song, “April in New York,” deserves to be a classic, and certainly is destined for some future romantic movie. It’s symphonic and sweeping, tender and embracing, makes you wish you were there and in love.

I'm bobbing in a sea of faces  heart like a fisherman's cork
ooo, love, April in New York
it’s april in New York and I blossom on your arm  
april in new York  as bright as a Cracker Jack charm...
out for a lark in central park  kids on the carousel...
share a hot dog on a fork  
ooo, love, april in New York 

Share a hot dog on a fork brings to mind the shared spaghetti in The Lady and the Tramp, ending in the inevitable kiss.

Now, this music isn’t current to any trend. It’s deliberately retro, with synths for strings, delicate piano and subdued yet melodic McCartney-esque bass, plus vocals, all courtesy of Braide, with guitar and background vocals by Partridge, drums by Ash Soan and Tim Wheeler. It’s musically sophisticated, smart, immediately engaging. Put it on at a party and watch people start asking “What’s that?” It isn’t like anything you’re hearing on the monstrous great big list.

But you’re gonna love it, I guarantee. Unless you’re a devoted metalhead, to which I say, cool, no worries.

And here’s the thing. Spotify shows it currently has 6,117 listens.

This is why I bow my head and cry. And at the same time use my time to tell you about it.

Oh, by the way, if anyone knows anything about the cover art, who the actress is and from what old movie, I’d really appreciate it.

*****

P.S. My friend Nancy found the answer to the cover art. It’s the bewitching Claudette Colbert, from the 1934 movie Cleopatra, by Cecil B. DeMille. Thanks!