Robyn Hitchcock
I Often Dream of Trains in New York [deluxe edition] - YEP ROC
FILTER Grade: 85%

Live albums are often hit or miss; audience sounds can overpower the music and witty banter between songs can become grating without capturing the energy of a live show. Robyn Hitchcock’s I Often Dream Of Trains In New York skirts these two pitfalls while just managing to not fall in, and the accompanying DVD film of the concert—a 2008 performance of Hitchcock’s seminal album I Often Dream Of Trains—is just understated enough, following Hitchcock as he prepares for and comments on his songwriting while telling the stories behind the songs. The performance itself is engaging even if it’s not mindblowing. The songs are played fairly straightforward, but when filtered through 25 years of experience, they seem to take on a certain timelessness. It’s hard to imagine them not having been written by a 50-plus Hitchcock who’s lived through enough to have a bit of perspective on life and knows how to balance his emotions with humor. It’s possible that this album and DVD may not fully resonate with anyone not already a fan of Robyn Hitchcock—especially when it comes to the deluxe packaging that even includes a working phenakistoscope. For anyone looking to get deeper into Hitchcock’s world,the original I Often Dream of Trains is more essential.