Harry Nilsson's 1974 album, "Pussy Cats," produced by John Lennon, holds a distinctive place in music history, not only for its unique creation story but also for its critical reception and subsequent influence. Released during a tumultuous period for both artists, the album navigated the genres of pop and rock, leaving a lasting impression that extended to a full-album cover by The Walkmen decades later. Its blend of original compositions and covers,
coupled with the raw vocal performance of Nilsson, contributed to its complex legacy.
Critical Perspectives and Genre Classification
Upon its release, "Pussy Cats" garnered a range of professional ratings from various music critics. AllMusic awarded it three and a half stars, indicating a generally positive but not universally acclaimed view. Robert Christgau, a prominent music critic, gave the album an "A-", suggesting a strong appreciation for its artistic merit. "The Essential Rock Discography" rated it 6 out of 10, offering a more moderate assessment. Pitchfork, a contemporary music website, later reviewed the album, giving it a 7.8 out of 10, highlighting its enduring relevance. "The Rolling Stone Album Guide" provided a high rating of four stars, underscoring its significance within the rock canon.
The album is primarily categorized within the pop and rock genres. Its length is 37 minutes and 8 seconds, a standard duration for albums of that era. The blend of these genres, influenced by both Nilsson's melodic sensibilities and Lennon's rock production, created a sound that was both accessible and edgy. This genre classification helps to contextualize its place within the music landscape of the mid-1970s, a period of significant evolution in popular music.
Enduring Influence: The Walkmen's Cover Album
One of the most significant testaments to the enduring legacy of "Pussy Cats" is the 2006 cover album by the American rock band The Walkmen. Titled "'Pussy Cats' Starring the Walkmen," this studio album was a song-for-song recreation of Nilsson's original. Released on October 24, 2006, by Record Collection, The Walkmen's rendition brought renewed attention to the 1974 classic.
The decision by The Walkmen to cover "Pussy Cats" originated as an inside joke among the band members, who considered Nilsson's album a favorite. This joke eventually evolved into a full-fledged project, resulting in an album released just five months after their previous record, "A Hundred Miles Off." The making of The Walkmen's cover album was a rapid process, taking "about ten days" to complete. This quick turnaround was partly due to the project serving as a final endeavor for Marcata Recording, the band's studio, which was located in a building owned by Columbia University and was reclaimed in 2006. The entire process of creating "'Pussy Cats' Starring the Walkmen" was filmed by Norman "Rockwell" Coady, and the footage was compiled into a documentary titled "In Loving Recognition," which was included with the album's accompanying DVD. This dedication by The Walkmen underscores the deep impact and cult status that Harry Nilsson's "Pussy Cats" has maintained over the decades.
