There have already been several bands with "Black" in their name that have released albums this year. Black Lipstick, The Black Keys, and Black Eyes are a few that come to my mind with the year only about halfway done. Now add The Black Watch to that growing list with their album Very Mary Beth, the band’s eighth full length in its sixteen year existence.

Jiggery-Pokery, released last year, gained The Black Watch much press and praise thanks to John Andrew Frederick’s songwriting and the violin/guitar playing of J’anna Jacoby. Many considered that album to be their best and with the release of Very Mary Beth, most probably won’t be changing their mind. Jacoby is noticeably absent on this release as the violin lines that helped distinguish the band from other jangly pop bands cease to exist without her.

One thing remains despite the loss of Jacoby — Frederick’s lyrical wit. "There Must Be Something Wrong" features the singer with a Ph.D. in English spouting clever similes such as:

I need you like a hemo needs to bleed and
I need you like the needy need more greed

Despite the amusement such musings bring about, three minutes of similes gets rather tiresome, especially when interrupted by the week chorus:

There must be something wrong with I’m in love with you

The same holds true for the rest of the album, making it a greater source of lyrical quoting than musical enjoyment with Frederick’s somewhat limited vocal range and an exhausted pop song format and orchestration.