I Think They Want Me

Everything I wrote about this song in the notes about the version on the previous Previous album holds doubly true for this version.

And it makes me think of two things.

1. Deb Pasternak’s laugh that kicks off the tracks is my second favorite thing on the album (the first being the Lili Haydn synchronicity on “What’s Wrong With The Mirror”).

2. I really did a disservice to myself and the band in not crediting Earle Mankey as the producer on the record. We worked together again on The Hard Feelings and on UnPop… and I never got the sense it was an issue for him. Listening to this now, knowing what I know, it’s clear he produced us and he did it so gracefully we didn’t even know he was doing it.

The production input, particularly from Walt Vincent, but also from John Nason and Colin Mahoney made giving Earle a producer credit seemed to be taking something away from them. Band politics 101. And yet, there is no way a track with this much economy of focus happens without Earle Mankey’s sensitivity and coaching, and his recording acumen. There’s punch in its every aspect.

Like I said, I only hurt myself in failing to acknowledge this all these years.

Written by Andras Jones
Engineered & Produced by Earle Mankey

Andras Jones – Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Clay Goldstein – Harmonica
R. Walt Vincent – Bass
John Nason – Guitar
Colin Mahoney – Drums
Deb Pasternak – Vocals
Dan Clark – “Buddha Boy” bass vocal