excerpted from Outlines "Music Madness" section, Oct. 22, 1997, p. 21

Maladjusted Birthday

by Gregg Shapiro

You may not realize it, but Ralph Covert and Morrissey have something in common Both men have maintained solo careers, one after and one during the time they were in bands. Morrissey and Covert also continue to release introspective and revelatory works. Parenthood has had a profound effect on many singers and songwriters and Covert is the latest to document it musically. A couple of years in the making, Birthday (Waterdog) is as sweet and luminous as a brightly frosted birthday cake loaded with candles. Whether or not you are familiar with Covert's other solo releases or with his work with The Bad Examples, Birthday will still be enjoyable. Covert's vocals have an early-Billy Joel quality about them, while musically he favors more of an acoustic pop sound, that has a timeless quality to it. There are even songs that have the potential of becoming lullaby standards. In these days of lesbian and gay parenting, an album such as Birthday might come in more handy than you realize.