Neil Innes a Go Go - Neil Innes

Neil Innes a Go Go is a straightforward reissue of the former Bonzo Dog Band's debut solo album, 1973's How Sweet to Be an Idiot -- the new title, of course, is drawn from the classic "Topless a Go Go." As such, it is difficult to lavish too much praise on an album that not only confirmed Innes' musical and comedic genius, it also reminded us that, behind all the chuckles and knowing nuances, he remains among the finest melodic songwriters that the U.K. has ever produced. "How Sweet to Be an Idiot" itself, of course, is sublime, even if the LP version is overshadowed by the live take included on Monty Python's Drury Lane album. Elsewhere, however, "Momma Bee," "This Love of Ours," and the closing "Singing a Song Is Easy" all challenge it for honors, while the strength of Innes' accompaniment (Andy Roberts, Mike Kellie, Dave Richards, Ollie Halsall, and Gerry Conway) likewise establishes this as a great rock album, even if the comedy sometimes passes you by -- the peril, of course, of having an even vaguely topical lyric onboard. It is fruitless playing favorites with Neil Innes albums -- there are so many of them, and they're almost all excellent. But if you had to go to a desert island, and you could only take one of them with you, Neil Innes a Go Go, under either of its titles, would at least stop you from climbing the walls. Assuming the desert island had any, of course. ~ Dave Thompson, All Music Guide