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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Great album! Jan 01, 2010
I got to be a fan of Soul Coughing back in the day then lost track of them. I liked some of their songs, some were a bit too experimental and hard to listen to. When I figured out Mike Doughty had gone solo I decided to check this out. I read reviews and some people don't like this album as much as Haughty Melodic but it's my favorite of his solo stuff. "Keep On Rising Up", "Doubly Gratified" and "How to **** a Republican" are my favorites.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Makes Me a Happy Man! Dec 17, 2009
Mike Doughty is not a household name, but he should be. He's not even well known to most hardcore music fans. He should be. And when they finally discover this man's brilliance, they should be, as one song states on "Sad Man, Happy Man": "Doubly Gratified".
This third installment in Mike Doughty's wonderful post- "Soul Coughing" solo catalogue (fourth if you count the 2-disc demo collection, "Skittish/Rockity Roll") is definitely one of the best I've heard so far. I was first introduced to Doughty's music when a college friend burned me a copy of "Haughty Melodic", which I ultimately wore out and bought a new copy, plus copies for others I thought needed to hear it!
That album was a masterpiece, and the 2008 followup, "Golden Delicious", was just as good. With "Sad Man, Happy Man", Doughty eschews the glossy production of "Melodic" and the oddball sonic experiments of "Delicious" and sits down with an acoustic guitar, backed by a keyboard, some drums and a subdued string section anchored by a cello. The result really puts the focus on his unique lyrical style and catchy, pleasant melodies.
There really is no way to describe Mike Doughty's lyrical style that can do it justice. He is one part beatnik slam poet, one part Dave Matthews, one part Jack Johnson, a dash of hip-hop and a pinch of Bob Dylan. If he can't think of a good word to describe what he feels, he readily makes one up. In one song about missign a girl, he sings: "Vicious mobs of candy rievers stalk the night, and 'methodonians' sleep right where they stand. A weeping tranny is cradling a steak knife, while you're happy slugging rob-roys with your man". The weird but poignant images he paints with his unique lyrics are in full force with this album, and the music is fantastic.
Buy this. NOW.
Made me happy Nov 26, 2009
I love Mike Doughty beyond reason, so bear in mind this review is likely biased. He's just one of my very very favorite musicians, ever. But I was seriously impressed by this album. I'm glad he's gone back to the minimal feeling of his earlier solo stuff, because as strange as it sounds, I really prefer him without a full band. This whole album showcases his amazing gift for language. In my opinion the stand outs were "We Will Not Be Lovers" (which made me cry in earnest) and "(He's Got the) Whole World (In His Hands)" which is about as funky as you can get with just an acoustic guitar as backing music. I loved this album. I will give Mike Doughty the highest compliment I can give any artist: I will definitely buy the next thing he puts out.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Mike Doughty Just Grows On You Nov 10, 2009
Sad Man Happy Man is the latest is a string of terrifc Mike Doughty recordings. While I'd have to say this one is just a bit off compared to his others, his work is so terrific that it's a must have anyway. A great modern poet, songwriter, and musician, his songs grow on you the more you listen.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 +1/2 -- Ex-Soul Coughing lead dovetails his group and solo work Oct 19, 2009
Mike Doughty's had a solo career that's long enough to nearly obscure his years as lead singer of Soul Coughing. His latest reels back in the guitar, bass, drums and keyboard layers of last year's Golden Delicious, and though his acoustic guitar is the dominant instrument here, he doesn't retreat fully to the sound of his solo debut Skittish. His syncopated strumming and vocals hold down the center with the usual level of energy, and there are low string drones that add weight, drums to further propel the beat, and some twangy trills, skittish violin notes and sonic washes that make this more than rock reduced to folk. Doughty not only returns to guitar-and-voice centered productions, but also the beat-rap poetry style he favored earlier in his career.
Doughty's lyrics include lost and reconsidered love, introspective questioning and optimistic possibilities, and stretch out to carefully constructed rhymes and elliptical couplets. The latter flow smoothly, but leave their deeper meanings for listeners to decide; it's enough to make one long for an annotated lyric sheet. College DJs should track down the Hombres' "Let it All Hang Out" for a good segue with Doughty's "Pleasure on Credit" (though you'll need to watch out for the s-word 32-seconds in). Twelve originals and a cover of Daniel Johnston's "Caspar the Friendly Ghost" will please fans of Doughty's early solo work, and fans of his earlier work with Soul Coughing will happily welcome his lyrical and sing-rap style. 3-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]
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