The Only Thing I Ever Wanted is slightly less whimsical and innocent, both lyrically and musically, than Psapp's first record Tiger, My Friend. But it's still Psapp, which means it's pretty whimsical and innocent and has lots of keyboards and cats.
The exceedingly British female vox, eclectic percussion and random noisemakers (including what seems to be a rubber duckie on Tricycle) that are Psapp's staple are all still on display, never fear. But where the last album was highlighted by cheerful numbers like "About Fun," this one has a somewhat more somber, mature, and at times almost world-weary air to it. Make Up is a simple piano-and-vocal ballad that is as thought-provoking as anything the band has ever done, but it's not exactly a happy song. King of You is sultry and downright cynical. This Way is a real downer (and also my least favorite track on this record).
But it's not just the words (and certainly not The Words, a cut which jumps with joy, albeit with a knowing smile: "Oh, I can't abandon this foolish notion, it's too much fun") that determine the mood in this album. The mixes are emotionally chillier this time around. But that doesn't make them worse: the change is quite by design, and works splendidly.
All told, The Only Thing I Ever Wanted is just as good as its predecessor, though I am slightly more predisposed to Tiger My Friend. If you liked Tiger, get this. If you didn't hear of Tiger, you should also get this, immediately after getting Tiger. This is no sophomore slump. Psapp is still in the game, and the music world is better for it.
Album highlights: Hi, King of You, The Words, Needle and Thread, Eating Spiders, and Tricycle, particularly Tricycle, which I adore.
