Customer Reviews

The Meat of Life

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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I thought Clem Snide was over. Everyone thought Clem Snide was over. Then they returned last year with a new record, Hungry Bird, which was actually recorded years earlier. The album, notably more mellow and less accessible than the band's past work, wasn't exactly the perfect comeback record. The band seventh proper record, the just released The Meat of Life, however, is a great comeback record. It reminds of the band's glory days, even hitting some new highs in the deep Snide catalog.

Sure, the Pitchforks out there aren't going to like Meat. Those sorts of media outlets (and I suppose most of these new blog sites) want everything to be new and radical and groundbreaking. Simply doing what you do at the top of your game doesn't matter any more, not to this Internet generation of Wikipedia-obsessed college sophomore journalists who know everything but history. That there has never been anyone quite like Snide frontman Eef Barzelay in the history of rock doesn't matter any more. That Barzelay is working at the top of his game again, however, does matter - to fans, that is. Simply put, Meat is the best batch of new Barzelay songs since the third Snide record, the untouchable The Ghost of Fashion, even registering as maybe their most consistent and approachable record yet.

Opener "Wal-Mart Parking Lot" is an instant hoot, opening with the kind of memorable lyric only Barzelay would come up with: "Punched in the heart, in the throat , in the knee cap too / That's how it felt when you told me we were through / So I drove all night until I found that spot / Sunrise in a Wal-Mart parking lot can be so beautiful." Barzelay's writing is funny in the same way a Wes Anderson movie tickles (meaning that it's not for everyone and might take a few passes to fully appreciate). The track gets right down to it, rocking with Snide's usual post-Americana jangle, full of strange and endearing desperation.

And that really has always been the trick for this band: strange desperation. Barzelay's writing and, even more so, his voice is both warm and broken. He's so sly and funny, hopeful and upset. He's the sad clown of sad clowns, inserting jokes into his heartbreak as if he couldn't otherwise finish the lyric. And, damn, all these years later and it still works. Better than ever, even. It works so well that, as Barzelay's voice fell from the speaker on my first spin of Meat, I felt like I was talking to an old friend. He has, even when not on his game, affected me deeply. He's the lost brother your root for no matter what, always hoping others will join him as he wanders through life, hoping everything will be okay. He's Charlie Brown, all grown up and over his punk rock phase, now armed with a book, a guitar and a pack of American Spirits.

But enough about our friend Eef; let's talk songs. Clem Snide has never been short on ideas. Like the Stones, they keep finding ways to create original songs using a limited palate. Nothing wrong with that. We see Barzelay's sense of humor at it's most subtle on "I Got High," where he sings "I got high with Sufjan Stevens fans in normal Illinois," purposefully mispronouncing both "Sufjan" and "Illinois." He continues with the snide lyric "this song goes out to all you beautiful American girls and boys," in doing so nodding to the fact that his band is no longer on young America's fickle radar. "Stoney" starts out a little awkward before turning into a heavy hitter (with an instantly memorable chorus) that could surely be the band's breakthrough song, had they not already had that chance years ago with "Moment in the Sun." The record's title track, too, is a new Clem classic, sounding like it could've easily fit on End of Love's tracklist.

My favorites? All of `em. No kidding. When recently guesting on a radio show I had to pick a Meat song to play. Couldn't do it. I wanted to play big rocker "BFF" but didn't feel it represented the band or album accurately enough; I wanted to play the sweet and uber-emotional "Please" but didn't want the radio hosts to give me noogies and wedgies; I wanted to play the whole record, save for maybe "Denise" and "Forgive Me, Love," the albums only two not-amazing (but still totally good) tracks. I decided to go with "Song For Mary" because it reminds me most of the band's breakthrough record, 1999's Your Favorite Music. But, really, every song on this, maybe their best record yet, is worth the repeat button treatment, even if it takes you a few spins to get there.

Clem Snide has put out 7 albums, counting this release and not one of them are a dud. The Meat of Life is another gem in the Clem Snide discography and worth checking out.

Is it much different than other albums? Not really. It is good and i find the songs to be immediately catchy and full of head-lodge ability.

Add it to the collection ASAP. You will be pleased.

He's still got it, plenty of gas left in that tank. Clem Snide, through all its permutations continues to churn out quality music, this latest is up there with some of his best work. The title track is yet another great song that will most likely not get the recognition it deserves, much like a majority of Clem Snide material. Sounds great!

It took me a few listens to warm up to this one but now I really like it. There are several great songs and only one dud -- Anita.

On a drizzly Saturday night in Nashville a few months ago, I stumbled into a tiny hole in the wall bar away from the downtown area - lo and behold I was introduced to Clem Snide. They played many of these songs that night, so I'm glad to have them all in one place. They are very engaging live, and Eef is an impressive lyricist...looking forward the new album. Meat of Life is pretty impressive, as is Walmart Parking Lot. Eef also performed a song for his wife that mentioned the movie Fame. Very sweet but don't see it on here if anyone knows where to find it.

Great new album from Clem Snide!! All the usual wit and brilliant lyrics with an even tighter sound. "Walmart Parking Lot" and "Denver" are standouts, but there are many great songs on this one. If you're already one of the cool kids, then add this to your collection. If you're just discovered Clem, this is a great one!

This is a stunning and heart achingly beatiful record. For, me this has set the bar for 2010... Thanks Clem!

I think Eff does it again with this new record. My fav is Walmart Parking Lot. Eff is so witty in his writing and delivery. Two thumbs up.....fine family fun.