Customer Reviews

Down By the Old Mainstream

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Though one might call Golden Smog a supergroup, the fact is that this collaboration is actually the exact opposite. Depite bringing together a bunch of musicians who have achieved fame in other places, "Down By the Old Mainstrem" features them kicking back and having fun without letting individual egos get in the way. "Mainstream" is a particular triumph for the Jayhawk's Gary Louris and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. Louris because the style of the album represents a more rocking departure from his usual work and Tweedy because he lightens up like he never has before (or since) in his career. Tweedy's throaway ode to "Pecan Pie," in fact, is highlighted by the visuals both on the CD booklet and the CD itself.

The other highlights include an ace cover of Ronnie Laine's gorgeous "Glad and Sorry," "Won't Be Coming Home," Kraig Johnson's hilarious "He's a Dick," "Friend," the rocking "Red Headed Stepchild," and the fine closer "Radio King." Every song has the kind of loose, devil-may-care feel that is all-too-lacking in much of today's rock music. In fact, "Mainstream" is more fun than the more recent "Weird Tales," from this same bunch.

Overall, a rollicking, spirited album showing the playful side of some very fine musicians.

People who criticize this album really just don't get it, I'm afraid. Yeah, the lyrics are kinda silly, and a couple of the songs are throwaways, but what did you expect when you squeeze The Jayhawks, Wilco, Soul Asylum and Run Westy Run into one band? If you expected Son Volt, then you're on the wrong side of the alt-country fence, hombre. This album is for people who like Wilco's "A.M." because Jeff Tweedy sounds like he's smiling throughout the whole album, and the Jayhawks' "Tomorrow the Green Grass" because Mark Olson and Gary Louris sound perfect together. The songs on "Mainstream" don't break any new ground, but that's not why you like these bands anyway, right? You like them because they have a warm, familiar sound that it would be a shame to mess with. It's great to hear these bands having such a good time together. Even if you don't buy into Golden Smog (which would be a shame, because "Weird Tales" is even better), think of it this way: no Jayhawks collection is complete without "V," and if you see Jeff Tweedy at the Lounge Ax, he's gonna play "Pecan Pie." Give this album the shot it deserves, and Golden Smog might end up knocking these individual bands out to become your favorite.

This album, while not up to the level of the Jayhawks, is great nonetheless. V and Ill Fated are phenomenal tunes, and there are a bunch more thrown in to boot with minimal trash. Much like the Jayhawks, the music grows on you becoming more and more delightful everytime you hear it. If you only buy one Golden Smog album, make it Weird Tales(an excellent album on all levels). If you like that(and you will), come back and buy Mainstream. If you like the Jayhawks, buy both and don't look back.

this album rocks b-a-doubletoothpix! if you love wilco, the jayhawks, run westy run, soul asylum and themsome AND if you like fun poppy melodic sounds with a darker underbelly, this cd is for you! you won't be sorry...

As a fan of Wilco, Jayhawks and Soul Asylum, I was excited when I first heard about and purchased this gem of a "side project." This album is incredible. With alternating lead vocalists and lead guitar, this album is a varied collection of great musicians and great songwriting. The old Faces tune "Glad and Sorry" is a stand-out.

A really fun album all around, with great songs, great musicians, and lots of goofiness. Not that it's a sloppy hoo-raw....the songs are very tight and well-constructed, as you would expect from this bunch. But I don't remember hearing a record that sounded so _fun_ to make. And I dare anyone not to be touched by "Williamton Angel".

This was the first full-length Golden Smog album. It was not a planned event; the songs were mostly things that members had cooked up separately or in various pairings. Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Kraig Johnson and Dan Murphy, all based in the Minneapolis area, had been playing pickup gigs together for some time. Finding themselves with spare time and material, they decided to smog together an album. They invited Jeff Tweedy, recently divorced from Uncle Tupelo, to help make the record.

Much of _...Old Mainstream_'s charm lies in its loose, unconcerned vibe. For that same reason, the more heavily-produced and polished followup _Weird Tales_ might be a better starting place. But for of all that album's high points, _Down By the Old Mainstream_ makes for a more consistent listen - the quality is steady throughout, and the songs fit right together. If _Weird Tales_ hits you over the head, this one sneaks up on you - somewhere around the third or fourth listening, right about the time you get to "Williamton Angel" or "Radio King", you'll be sitting up and saying, "wow, this is good!".

I had the privlege of seeing these guys play two years ago, and even without Mr. Tweedy, they were awesome. I can't wait for the new album.

This album bought me. I didn't buy it. I purchased it because of a longing for Uncle Tupelo type music, and being disappointed with Wilco's A.M. (which has grown on me).

It's nothing like Uncle Tupelo. Apples and Oranges. What I loved about Anodyne was the sparse, delicate, and harsh realities it conjured up. The dark side. What I love about "Down By the Old Mainstream" is pretty much the opposite. For some albums, the timing has everything to do with it's success, and I think that the time, or period, in the lives of those who comprise Golden Smog, was key to it's turn out. I can listen to this over and over and over again and never tire of it. I actually like this one a little better than Weird Tales, because it seems to encapsulate such a good time.

This is a good album but by no means a great one. With members from Soul Asylum, Wilco (and incidentially, Uncle Tupelo) and the Jayhawks, the songs evoke each of these bands, but not in the way one might hope. This is one of those albums that's good, until you hear the band's other work and then it's thrown to the bottom of the pile, though it's still pretty darn high on the pile. There are some truly great songs (V, He's Such a Dick, Pecan Pie, Radio King) but there are also many decent but decidedly filler tracks. Down By The Old Mainstream seems to be the bands "tryout" album, before they really hit one home with Weird Tales. IF you're a Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Soul Asylum or Jayhawks fan you probably already have this, but if you're not, get Weird Tales instead.

Golden Smog is a supergroup of sorts, whose lineup varies from release to release, including members from The Jayhawks, Wilco, Soul Asylum, Big Star, The Replacements, etc. Song contributed are fresh, often slightly experimental and somewhat off the beaten paths of their "home" bands. It's obvious they are having fun, and it's always interesting to hear artists combine their writing and singing talents to see what comes up. Down By the Old Mainstream is a solid album with eclectic contributions from Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum), Gary Louris & Marc Perlman (The Jayhawks), Graig Johnston (Run Westy Run).

GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock.

BUY IF YOU LIKE: The bands named above.

MUST HEAR TRACKS: "V," "I'll Fated," "Glad & Sorry," "Walk Where He Walked," "She Don't Have To See You," "Radio King."