Customer Reviews

National Antiseptic

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

 

 

The eclectic talents of James Mathus take center stage on his second solo release, National Antiseptic. Mathus' primary band, the Squirrel Nut Zippers, remain a popular band from the swing music resurgence of the mid 1990's. Though the Zippers, who Mathus fronts, were the most creative and talented of the pack, they still have faced tough competition in the land of teen pop and pretentious rap/rock. As a result, Mathus has taken several side projects, including a stint as Buddy Guy's guitarist a solo project, Play Songs For Rosetta, and now National Antiseptic.

Mathus' greatest strength is his flexible voice. He croons like Harry Connick Jr. on tracks such as "Rock of Ages." He then shifts to a hard-edged bluesy howl, wonderfully exhibited on "Take a Ride" and "Hambone." Finally, Mathus gives the listener a twangy country voice on tracks such as "Back to the Bottoms" and "Innit For The Money." In all cases, his voice has a depth and character that immediately entices the listener.

Another standout musical element is Mathus' guitar playing. Though primarily a blues album, Mathus' rockabilly and swing guitar style is evident throughout National Antiseptic. The fusion makes each song interesting, even simple folk songs such as "Nightingale."

James Mathus made every track intricate on National Antiseptic. Even the most simplistic blues songs, such as "Boogie" have wild drum beats, melodic guitar lines, and pumping bass lines. Mathus' version of blues is more akin to Jimi Hendrix than B.B. King. The eclectic collection of songs also makes the album solid from start to finish. As his tastes vary, so do his songs. The listener is treated to country, folk, and swing songs in addition to blues.

The best songs on National Antiseptic include "Take a Ride,"Snake Drive," "Rock of Ages," and "Back to the Bottoms." Each has a distinctness about it that makes it jump off the album. Weaker tracks consist of "Innit For The Money," "Spare Change," and "Chicken Town." They rely too much on instrumental jams that inhibit Mathus' vocal ability.

Because of it's varied content, National Antiseptic is not an Earth-shattering album. It does have several excellent songs, however, and every track has something original to offer. James Mathus, as always, dares to swim upstream, fighting the copycat success formulas of many of today's artists. He doesn't worry about fitting into a certain category, or selling records. His concern is only with writing good songs, and he continues to succeed in doing so.

This is a fine album somewhat in the vein of The North Mississippi All Stars. Mathus' album is produced by Jim Dickinson, amonth other things father of 2/3 of NMAS and Mathus himself appeared on Buddy Guy's superb "Sweet Tea" album. And therein lies the rub. While this is a solid affair and Mathus' guitar and voice are solid, it doesn't have the driving bottom end of the NMAS releases or Guy's album. Even with a cover of RL Burnside's "Snake Drive" this isn't quite as slamming a Mississippi hill/country blues affair. To be sure a lot of that is by design and it's not as if there aren't some moments where a monstrous boogie is achieved. But if you expect NMAS or Burnside/Kimbrough stomps look elsewhere. While those artists offer a mammoth groove on almost every track, Mathus lays back a little more, tends to keep the bass a little quieter and takes on more country stance. It will grow on you as an album too. Just accept it for what it is. The idea expressed in other reviews that it's a back porch affair is right on. As such the laid-back vibes is appropriate and it is certainly the work of someone making the music they love.

really, skip this half-baked jam session and go buy "Stop and Let the Devil Ride" (which inexplicably sells for like $28 or whatever on here). that's the album that will make you realize jimbo mathus is the unsung hero of drunken southern boogie rock. this album, however, just ain't got the grit, man, the swagger of that other gem.

Perectly suited to an intense listening sesion or just the backround music to great nights with friends. We got ahold of this one from a bargain bin years ago; picked it up 5 bucks. Definetly some of the smartest money I've ever spent. This album has bore witness to more good times and late nights than I could ever attempt to express into words. This album just cooks, it's got great flow and a geniuneness about it that just cuts through and provides a definite wealth of replayablity. The sometimes sparse {but never lacking} arangements never lose direction, which is constantly onward and upward. A major highlight for me is the fact that this has absolutely one of the best drum sounds I've ever heard on a studio recording. Matter of fact I could go on and on about how good all the instruments are recorded, but the best thing I could say is simply to pick this up for yourself. This album is a treasure that most could easily write off merely based on the fact that they are not familiar with Jimbo. Be smart, don't miss out on this secret.

This CD is one of those that just keeps growing on you. After his success with Songs for Rosetta, Mathus follows the acoustic album with a hard-driving electric one. Songs for Rosetta was a tribute album and one where Mathus explores his roots. National Antispetic proves that Mathus can do what all good artists have to--grow on those roots. This seems to be a natural progression.

Mathus played electric guitar long before the success of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, and he is shortchanged often by listeners who place him in a particular genre or style. He is a lot more than a "retro player;" he is a vibrant player on the regional and national music scene, and a guitar player and vocalist of amazing skill (he has also played the piano, trombone, mandolin and banjo in recording sessions before).

National Antiseptic is an album which seeps an enthusiasm and joy of music--what it can do to you, what you can express with it, and what makes it important. And part of that comes not only from Mathus himself, but from his band, Knockdown Society, who play with that same vitality and then can stop on a dime.