Thorn's music reveals the truth behind trailer trash

CHASE FARMER
DM Senior Staff Writer

In week three of this five week series on my five favorite summer albums, we'll make a stop by one of the richest places for material in songwriting -- the trailer park.

This summer's "Golden Trailer" award goes to the minister of trailer park philosophy, Paul Thorn, and his live album, "Live at the Short Street Package Store."

With more funny and well penned songs than a yard full of pink flamingos, "Short Street," is a must have for those connoisseurs of live albums.

Whether you came from a trailer or not, this album is great. Great because everyone has had thoughts about things that they would never bring up in conversation, at least they wouldn't with a normal blood alcohol content. On this album Thorn throws caution under the tires of his double-wide and lays into such subjects as Jehovah's Witness strippers, Cool Whip bowls and of course, (because no trip into the realms of trailerdom would be complete without it) a song about Viagra.

Now, everyone has had thoughts about the perils of impotence and the benefits of Viagra, but not until Thorn's "I'm Going to Viagra Before It Falls," has there been true light shed on the subject.

"I feel like such a failure with my broke down genitalia," sings Thorn, chuckling out loud on the album. I'm not sure if Thorn has actually battled this ailment but he sure makes it funnier than Bob Dole ever thought about.

In the song, "Two Dogs in Heat," Thorn strikes at the heart of so many Ole Miss bar hoppers looking to score. With the anthemic chorus, "it ain't love, it's nothing more than two dogs in heat," Thorn tells of his experiences in bars across the country, making light of pay by the hour hotels and short lived (2 minutes) loves.

The atmosphere of the albums is intimate. From Thorn and his energy, to the voices and chuckles during the songs, the recording catches the best side of the performer. Having had the opportunity to see Thorn live and at his house, I will attest that he is not putting on. This is him in the purest sense, kicked back, stomping a foot and singing his heart out and telling stories.

He tells stories like the one behind "Turnip Greens" about how his mother would send him leftovers home in a Cool Whip bowl because she knew he wouldn't bring her Tupperware home. We in the south know all about this. That is Thorn's strength, he can relate.

And by the way, any CD with a Viagra song rhymingfailure and genitalia on it is a must have on my list.

The album is on Thorn's own Perpetual Obscurity Records but I'm here to say folks, if he keeps it up, he'll have to change that name.