ocus as a picture not far removed from our current reality, in which political and spiritual forces have eroded faith in art and science, as heard on songs such as Work At Hand, and Mama. This inherent theme has also motivated Page to write a stage play based on the album.He describes his approach with these songs as being in the tradition of Canadian satire; something Page has gained an entirely new perspective on since moving to the US several years ago. It also led him to think seriously about his own place in the wider musical sphere.Ive always had a problem describing myself as an artist, and it got even harder after moving to the U.S. where that word has been devalued considerably, Page says. There was always a sense of guilt that I didnt have a real job, and that got channeled into some of these new songs, almost as a reaction to the mistrust and spitefulness that pervades so much of our current discourse in North America.That being said, Page never considered deviating from the fun that has always infused his work. In particular, his undying love of Beatles and Beach Boys-style pop-rock is as prominent as ever, and most evident on I Can See My House From Here, Linda Ronstadt In The 70s, and Heal Thyselfs first focus track, Surprise Surprise. Overall, the album continues Pages long tradition of marrying the sweet with the tart in a way that can sound deceptively palatable.Ive always had a sense of wonder about that era of Sixties and Seventies music, and probably always will, he says. I remember getting Paul McCartneys second solo album for my 11th birthday, and theres a picture in it of him standing in front of his 16-track machine in his home studio, with his kid tugging at him. I think from the moment I saw that photo, while listening to this strange album hed made at his house, I decided I wanted to do the same thing.Page soon followed through on that promise to himself, making 4-track tapes with friends on weekends. This eventually led to the formation o