Randy Newman's fifth studio album Little Criminals was released in 1977. The album was his most commercially successful yet, bolstered by the hit single "Short People," which went to number two. As with most of early albums, it was met with positive critical reviews. However, critical opinions are more mixed today.
After exploring politics and racism on his last two records, Newman has stridently returned to the quasi-meaningless songwriting of his first two records with the bigoted "Short People." The roots rock of 12 Songs does not accompany this retreat however. Instead, the clean production and frequent backing vocals from the Eagles create a mildly interesting pop record that suggests Newman is looking for a commercial breakthrough. Although the attempt is basically on his own terms, the songwriting is out-and-out the worst of his career--only the lyrics on "Texas Girl at the Funeral of Her Father," which features one of the more insipid string arrangements I've ever heard, move me in any way. Very seldom do I mind such an attempt at a commercial breakthrough. But there's no way the dip in songwriting is a coincidence. B- [Later: C+]