My Majesty

One of the best things Sean Tillmann has been associated with to date, from the album photos to the songwriting to the production. While Sean Na Na's previous record focused mainly on Tillmann with an acoustic guitar and Lucky Jeremy on a keyboard, My Majesty is more of a group execution. While the usual bits of singer/songwriter float around the album, power pop is the order of the day here, informed by such luminaries as the Who ("Grew Into My Body"), Brian Wilson ("Third Life"), and Cheap Trick (almost everything else). Tillmann's songwriting consists primarily of personal narratives, with only a ditty or two set in the second person. "Double Date," with its forlorn fable of our fortunately frustrated narrative, acts as an incredible opener and is perhaps the best track on the album. An interesting conceit of the album is the absence of choruses. While the music allows for them, the lyrics instead opt to cram another verse into the space. All of the songs serve as an outlet for Tillmann to vent even more of his angst, sexual frustration, and overall anger with people. The record features tracks about sluts with VD, beating the bloody tar out of a childhood bully, and finally ending with "I Need a Girl," a lovely tune where Tillmann pontificates in great detail on the many different types of women he requires for "service." The songs here are honest and heartfelt, but also with jaded, cynical, and sarcastic stripes that go straight to the core. Rick Nielsen would be proud.