So, 6 years passed between "Crazy Rhythms" and this. Why? Because time is a black hole. All we know is that the music is less jittery and chaotic, there's 5 people on the LP cover (a new drummer, bassist, and other percussion guy), and there's a ton of acoustic guitars. Oh, and Peter Buck "co-produced" it, which I think means they gave Mr. Petey some money and he got to hear one of his favorite bands record an album. Honestly, it makes sense to think that this could be a completely different band. I mean, couldn't they just have started a new group with these new songs and called themselves "the Meet Puppets" or something? But, don't let all this fool ya!
There's a ton of stuff here thats the same - Glenn's crazy solos ("Slipping into Something"), percussion along the Hudson (see almost every track), and the fact that, much like "Crazy Rhythms", the sound is almost perfect. I mean, these guys (and now, one girl) knew how to nail that optimal studio sound. And there's still plenty of nice little ditties thrown in (see "When Company Goes" - feat. a doggy!!!) and that song "Let's Go", which some people know.
The biggest changes are two things:
1 - Glenn's voice sounds less nerdy and nervous, but more confident and relaxed
2 - the songs are all more immediate. Unlike "Shmaazy Shmyhtms", the songs usally start right away and not after 45 seconds of silence.
The only Buck influence I could see on this album is on "Tomorrow Today", mainly because it reminds me of "King of the Birds" which is on R.E.M.'s album "Document". But no problems there.
OVERALL RATING - wehhheheheeehheeehheetteeettetee ice cream!
KEY TRACKS - "the high road", "the good earth", "slipping into something"
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