One quality that is consistent over the album is a relaxed if not restrained delivery. May this is a reaction to the jacked up emotional intensity of much of the Afghan Whigs catalog. The beginning of "The Twilight Kid" sounds like the soul-pop end of Black Love, but after that it plays like an album track from 1965. "That's Just How That Bird Sings" is a quick departure, based on finger-picked guitar and multiple vocals; it's not arresting but at least it's pretty. "C Clyde" definitely has the lyrical trademarks of Greg, but may be described as Asian R&B. "King Only" has a late 70's soul sound from the horns. Near the halfway point, "Annie Mae" is as close to rock as we get, splattered throughout with Greg's crunchy guitar. The rest of the middle of the album draws mainly from pop R&B, until the haunting "Into The Street", which would be amazing without the out of tune backing vocals, which are a scourge on the entire album. On the other hand, the multi-vocal approach is the right one for this vamp on "everything's gonna be alright", with 1965-based contentment, it's like "Faded" on happy pills.
Comments