I don't understand this almost predictable switch of formerly dubbed
alt-twang bands to this pet-sounds pop thing. we've seen it with joe h,
jayhwaks, wilco, golden smog, and the old 97's. maybe it's simply because
most of them have been musically incestuous to varying degrees recently
and in the past, and ole tweedy and louris have rubbed off on each other.
not that I'm oppossed to new styles, I'm not sure if I get their new
music. I felt this way after "sound of lies", then with "weird tales", now
even more so with "fuse" and "summer teeth". some of the new songs on fuse
and summerteeth are interesing, but it's not like I'm rushing home to
listen to these records every night. why aren't these bands getting more
twangy? more rock? punk?
it's hard to give up on bands that have given me so much in the past. and
these new fangled twang bands, well, seem to be riding the currents
instead of causing the ripples themselves. so maybe that's what tweedy is
trying to do. I'm not sure how big of a splash he'll make, but I'm glad
that he's exploring new directions in his music.
-george
