The post-Christmas drought of album releases is showing signs of being over, finally. In the last couple of weeks, several albums have been released and many more are coming soon. First off, the Uncle Tupelo family tree continues to grow, and if you have ever read anything I have written here before (which most of you have not, according to the web stats), then you know that I am a fan of Tupelo and its subsidiaries.
The Minus Five, featuring Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, released their second album, and last week, April 15, every Uncle Tupelo album was re-issued. There will be more on that in two weeks.
However, now is the time for the album reviews. As I write this I am listening to an advance copy of Radiohead’s new album, “Hail To The Thief.” Radiohead has disappointed me with the last few albums. “Kid A” and “Amnesiac” never really did anything for me, even though I was a huge fan leading up to that. “Pablo Honey,” “The Bends,” and “OK Computer” were great albums as far as I was concerned, and then they took a turn somewhere. That’s fine, but I am not obligated to listen.
This album finds itself somewhere in between “OK Computer” and “Kid A.” There are some parts that are unlistenable and some parts where they rely too heavily on electronica. I could never understand how a band could have a guitar player as good as they do and yet choose to make albums that did not have guitars. It makes no sense to me.
“Hail To The Thief” does have some parts that harken back to the glory days of Radiohead (1996-1998).
All in all, I’d say if you are a completist then buy this album. If you are a disappointed fan, like me, then this album will do something for you. If you are simply curious and haven’t listened to them before, then buy “The Bends.” It’s still their best work. Hopefully, sometime soon, they will make an album that is that good again.
Also released on the fifteenth: Pete Yorn’s “Day I Forgot,” the follow up to his 2001 debut, “musicforthemorningafter.” This is a good album. Some people cannot make music once they become famous, and I was afraid this would happen to Yorn. It has not, other than the pictures in the liner notes. Now, he looks like he knows he’s cool, but that’s okay when the album can stand on its own.
There are a few great songs on this record, including “Pass Me By” and “Long Way Down.” My brother always said that Pete Yorn sounded like Eddie Vedder if Eddie Vedder were cool, and it stands even after this release.
The main reason I like him is that he’s one of the few rockers now-a-days who stand out. The lyrics are smart, his band is tight, and the overall sound is strong. He does not pander and hopefully the industry and society will reward him for that. I look forward to buying new Pete Yorn albums for the next twenty-five years, if he can maintain this pace.
Widespread Panic also released an album on the fifteenth. If you’ve ever heard of them before, you’ll know what to expect. And the expectations are met. They prove that as far as hippy-jam-bands go, they are the best. I know a lot of Phish fans will disagree with me, but I don’t care. The Panic can maintain the jam without getting ridiculous, and Phish sometimes slides into the ridiculous. The Panic are a great band, and they continue to prove it, live or in the studio. It’s great summertime listening, and, since summer is upon us, it is a great album to have.
When this paper is released, Third Eye Blind will have a new album out and so will Evan Dando (The Lemonheads). It’s been since 1996 that there has been anything new from him, and I cannot wait. So, as I said before, the drought is over, and I am better for it.
Vaya con dios.