The Best Record of 1989: Day 36
#34 Bonnie Raitt, Nick of Time vs. #95 The Field Mice, Snowball
Good morning!
Today we’re taking a look at records from Bonnie Raitt and The Field Mice
Note: As many of you know, I recently wrote about a Best Record of 1989 challenge and noted that I'd be occasionally writing some of these up.
I've started doing some quick hits of each matchup and posting them directly to the page. Some will be longer, some won’t, and some might just be a handful of sentences. There'll probably definitely be some typos.
Check 'em out and let me know your thoughts! Chin wags & hot takes welcome! Sharing and restacks are always appreciated.
KA—
Blockbuster…Comeback…Second Act...Phoenix-like. These are all descriptors for Bonnie Raitt's Nick of Time record, and they're all words you've read before. You won't have to reread them here, but I think it's important to note just how much that idea of starting new colors this record. Raitt was recently sober, out of a relationship1, and looking for a new label.
Capitol took a chance on her, signing her to a smaller-scale deal. It became a hit, and the rest, they say, is history. It's a great story! Plenty of friends came along for the ride (Herbie Hancock, half of CSNY, etc.), and a Hiatt cover is always a good thing ("Thing Called Love").
But here's the deal; at this point, it wasn't a comeback.
After all, if you've never had a hit, what are you coming back to?
Most people will recognize "The Thing Called Love," the sultry title track, and "Have a Heart." Today, the latter is a regular on your local grocery store's playlist, but in 1989, it was everywhere. These three are solid and make an excellent case for the record. But she really shines on lesser-known tracks like "Real Man" and "The Road's My Middle Name." The latter is your standard blues that Raitt's voice is made for.
By this point, Raitt had been through it and was ready for a new chapter. Free from high expectations (or really any expectations at all), Raitt could be herself and sing about the things on her mind. On the title track, Raitt sings, Life gets mighty precious when there's less of it to waste. With Nick of Time, she made a record that sounds timeless. Yell "Noonan!" all you want; Raitt's not gonna miss here.
If Raitt was at least a known quantity, The Field Mice were the exact opposite. I'd never heard of them, let alone this record.
No vocals for the first couple of minutes is a choice. It's also maybe not the best one if you're making a pop record in 1989, but what do I know? Maybe they were "doing it for the art," or whatever.
Snowball is charming, I suppose. If you like softer side jangle pop, this'll check a lot of boxes. I suspect that whoever nominated this did so out of an outsized sense of nostalgia. This could have reminded them of grad school (or the British equivalent) and a love that lasted only until graduation. Most of us have one of those, right?
Otherwise, the record is serviceable enough. As noted, there's some pleasant jangle on here, and some fun bits of twee pop. Kinda feels like The Housemartins meets Prefab Sprout. But in 1989, there were quite a few better records to pick from, even within this subgenre.
My vote: Gimme some full throated blues from someone who’s seen some things any day. My bracket pick and vote will both be going to Bonne Raitt.
Any thoughts on either of these records? Agree/disagree with my takes? Which one of these would you vote for? Sound off in the comments!
Check out the full bracket here.
Info on the tourney, voting, and more is here.
As always, thanks for being here.
KA—
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A couple of years later, she would go on to marry actor Michael O’Keefe, perhaps best known for playing Danny Noonan in Caddyshack.
I love that Bonnie Raitt album, and I couldn't agree more with your take. In fact, I'm going to spin it right now!
My hair sees humidity and throws its hands up. Bonnie’s hair sees humidity and positively ascends.