Inspired by Albumism, I’m doing my own version of Flying Solo with individual tracks. Band breakups and hiatuses are never fun, but these solo jams were defining moments in my life’s soundtrack.

I’ll choose 10,000 Maniacs over Natalie Merchant’s solo catalog any day of the week. Her musical leanings changed quite significantly with Tigerlily. But “Jealousy” was a parting gift to the 10,000 Maniacs’ faithful.

When I heard songs like “Wonder” and “Carnival” on the radio, I thought, there she goes, another one bites the dust. But “Jealousy” gave me more of what I was looking for. It was an outlier track that felt more like an unfinished 10,000 Maniacs demo. The song structure, playful temperament and Merchant’s unique storytelling style were reminiscent of the fruitful In My Tribe / Blind Man’s Zoo era.

“Is she smart, so well-read, are there books, are there novels by her bed?”