Yes and Also Yes

iTunes Review

Former Soul Coughing frontman and rock-club doorman Mike Doughty has always had an unusual ear for detail and his real life trials have kept his cynical wit sharp and hilarious. His self-released Yes and Also Yes should satisfy long-time fans and attract new listeners who will wonder how they overlooked this genuine songwriting talent. Rosanne Cash duets on the spritely but prickly pop number “Holiday (What Do You Want?), while Doughty slips in the brief and bizarre “Telegenic Exes, #1,” alongside several other short and interesting bursts of inspiration (“Russell,” “Have At It,” and the German-sung “Makelloser Man”). “Telegenic Exes, #2 (Astoria),” however, delves deeper with a haunting melody worthy of Paul Westerberg and a direct acoustic performance that’s quite affecting. “Rational Man” adds a cool new-wave touch. “Weird Summer” walks the streets with an attractive confidence. “Vegetable” works off a hip-hop, reggae atmosphere to face up to Doughty’s demons.  For straightforward pop hooks, there’s always “Into the Un” and “Na Na Nothing.”