Michigan Daily review - transcribed from image above

Some people around Ann Arbor have been wearing the number of thwarted attempts they've made to see Robyn Hitchcock over the past year like Purple Hearts, testaments to their dedication to this Rock God of Eccentrics. "Oh year?, well I tried to see him three times and they were all cancelled out" they say, and then spew out something about how many obscure Soft Boys 45's they own. Finally, they'll be able to shut up. Their long-aroused desire to commune with Luthor Paisley, the Jelly Son, that most venerable antecedent of Syd Barrett - Robyn Hitchcock - has finally been consummated, as they finally got their chance to see him with The Egyptians at the (packed) Blind Pig, Wednesday night.

Despite having recently been awarded the stigma of "REM's favorite band," Boston's Lifeboat played a consistently clean set of appealing, upbeat, guitar-pop, distinguished from the legions of their twangier peers by great harmonies and a distinctly non-Southern approach. Some great originals, but the highlight of their set was a version of the Monkees' "Pleasant Valley Sunday" with almost-satirically Byrdsy three part harmonies.

The far-too-long interval between sets prompted several of the patrons to wonder aloud whether Robyn was going to cop out yet another time. Such skepticism probably wasn't too far out of line - considering Hitchcock's track record for cancellations here in Ann Arbor and his reputation for being something of a primadonna (evidenced by a recent refusal to speak to American press and a coolness towards America in general) - but Roby and The Egyptians turned up eventually to much hooting and hollering from anxious fans.

The Egyptians started out with "Sometimes I Wish I Was a Pretty Girl" from Hitchcock's solo LP I Often Dream of Trains and segued flawlessly int the Soft Boys classics "Kingdom of Love." The very tall, very long fingernailed Hitchcock captivated the sardine-packed audience from square one.

The sound was immaculate throughout the show, confirming The Egyptians' reputation as one of the finest live acts around. It's almost downright weird, the play of Hitchcock's odd, chaotic stage persona against the band's ultrasharp musicianship.

The band includes former Soft Boy Morris Windsor on drums, and vets Roger Jackson on keyboards and Andy Metcalfe on bass; in addition to Hitchcock on guitar, vocals, and absurd explications of his songs. One such monologue preceded "My Wife and My Dead Wife" - about the nature of death in England where the ultimate conclusion was "We'll all be dead eventually." Yes, this man Hitchcock has a Cambridge education, too.

The set ended with "Heaven" and the band immediately set for a two song encore which included the extra-big surprise of a whole acapella rendition of "Uncorrected Personality Traits and "Listening to the Higsons;" on which band members switched instruments. A true descent into three chord grunge ecstasy. "Higsons" kicks the proverbial shit out of just about every garage revivalist outfit's best grind. Both "Uncorrected" and "Higsons" stand to be way up there in the Memorable Music Moments of '85 poll. Clearly well worth the wait, these Egyptians.