Two Bit Monsters (1980)

About this title: At the time of its release, Two Bit Monsters was perceived by critics who had caught up with John Hiatt on Slug Line as a less impressive follow-up to that record. In retrospect, it may be the better of the two albums, boasting an even more simplified musical approach and such notable songs (and future Rosanne Cash covers) as "Pink Bedroom" and "It Hasn't Happened Yet." Hiatt here was starting to emerge from the "new Elvis Costello" tag that had been affixed to him with Slug Line, but his reviewers, however well-meaning, seemed determined to keep him in that category. (In any case, record ... read more

Tracks:

1. Back to Normal [Hiatt]
2. Down in Front [Hiatt]
3. I Spy (For the FBI) [Kelley/Wylie]
4. Pink Bedroom [Hiatt]
5. Good Girl, Bad World [Hiatt]
6. Face the Nation [Hiatt]
7. Cop Party [Hiatt]
8. Back to the War [Hiatt]
9. It Hasn't Happened Yet [Hiatt]
10. String Pull Job [Hiatt]
11. New Numbers [Hiatt]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.