Thursday, March 11, 2021

Day 0922 - Nixon

Lambchop “Nixon” (2000)


I was not really on board with this one at all.  On paper it sounds like I should like it; all strings, gentle drums, and George Harrison-esque lead guitar.  I think what turned me away from it was Kurt Wagner’s.  He sort of mumbles his lyrics, which (from the bits I picked up on) seem to be trying to say something deep, but just don’t really go anywhere.

There were plenty of moments where I thought it might come right.  The silky soul groove of second track “Grumpus” (complete with horns and strings) sounds inviting, but again Wagner’s vocals ruined my enjoyment of it.  “What else could it be”  is again a nice soul groove that Wagner delivers a falsetto vocal over that actually works for me.

“The Petrified Florist” also works quite well, partly because the vocals are buried in a wash of space pop, all treated guitars and horns like some modern take on a Brian Wilson production.

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