Customer Reviews

Neon Mirage

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

 

 

Stan Ridgway, forever burdened by the sobriquet "former Wall of Voodoo frontman" returns for his first solo album since 2004. "Neon Mirage" is lonely, mournful, and, for Ridgway, incredibly personal. He eschews the character-driven songs of past albums to focus on meditations on identity ('Behind the Mask'), aging ('Day Up in the Sun'), and spiritual wandering ('Flag Up On a Pole,''Desert of Dreams').

The sounds range from the dust-covered folk-rock sound that Stan has perfected over the past decade or so to the curious 'bossa nova-esque' sounds of 'Desert of Dreams'. In terms of sound, there's nothing new here on this album. What is new is the personal nature of the lyrics, largely inspired by the death of his father. Also of note is a reworking of 'A Town Called Fate' that, if anything, surpasses the original in its feeling of desolation.

However, "Neon Mirage" is never depressing. It's more of an exploration of Stan's psyche, and while dark and brooding, still has a warmth at its core that makes the listener feel like they're in a room with a good friend. Which, in a way, I suppose Stan is, after all these years. ('Halfway There', in particular, has a warm sincerity that particularly moves me.)

Very, very good.

NEON MIRAGE will always mark for me the first time I finally saw Stan live, with Pietra Wexstun and Rick King. I even got to say hi after the show. It was great -- Stan, as you can imagine, is really funny between songs. Don't miss seeing him if you get the chance!

Stan lost his father, a beloved uncle and violinist Amy Farris during the making of this album. It is a subdued set, featuring a new version of the great "Big Green Tree" produced by Dave Alvin, which originally appeared on the excellent Black Diamond in 1996. Another notable feature is a cover of Bob Dylan's song "Lenny Bruce." (Did you know Dylan had a song called "Lenny Bruce"? I sure didn't. It turns out it's from Shot of Love, one of the born-again albums that came out in 1981. I never heard the album, the only thing I heard from it was the great rollicking single "The Groom's Still Waiting at the Altar," so I wasn't aware of the song.)

Of the other songs, I think about half of them are quite good: "This Town Called Fate" and "Scavenger Hunt," which are both noirish, in the vein of many previous Ridgway songs, the great instrumental title track, and especially "Turn a Blind Eye" (which is obliquely about climate change) and "Flag Up On a Pole," an anti-war song, both good examples of Stan's social critique, one of the things that I have always found most impressive in his music. "Desert of Dreams" is also a critique of empty consumeristic America, but it's not a strong song. "Halfway There," "Wandering Star," "Behind the Mask," and "Day Up In the Sun" are more personal and reflective, and while I'm all in favor of personal reflection I just don't find them compelling.

I'm about the same age as Stan, and I identify with his music, his writing, and his persona (his mask?). While I don't think this is his strongest album, I certainly look forward to hearing more from him in the future. After all, we're only halfway there...

The three essential Stan Ridway albums are SONGS THAT MADE THIS COUNTRY GREAT, a compilation of the best of the '80s, BLACK DIAMOND, his best of the '90s, and SNAKEBITE, his best of the Aughts.

See my STAN RIDGWAY'S AMERICA list for more reviews and recommendations.

(verified purchase from CD Baby)

Neon Mirage combines the best of Stan Ridgway's song and storytelling skills. The mood and atmosphere are reminiscent of past works without feeling derivative and the songs feel more like welcome friends with just the first listen. Further, it's an album that you can definitely listen to more than once, and for me, becomes more enjoyable with each playing. I've been a fan of Stan since the Wall of Voodoo days and while some of his previous albums had enjoyable songs, but had some hits and misses, this album is cohesive and likable start to finish. A fantastic album for fans of his prior works and a great album to introduce those new to Stan.

I am a day late and a dollar short when it comes to reviewing Stan Ridgway's "Neon Mirage". When you're on an independent label, they don't always promote your work well enough to reach all your fans. So here it is, a year later, when I discovered Ridgway had put out a new recording. After listening to "Neon Mirage" numerous times, and reading the reviews, I will deposit my two pennies.

While I understand that Mr. Ridgway experienced the death of his father and the death of a band mate during this recording, and that several songs deal with life and death, and that "Neon Mirage" might be his most serious and mature piece of work, I was still somewhat disappointed. I mean, what made me like Mr. Ridgway in the first place was his quirky askew views on life and his knack for storytelling set against interesting musical arrangements.

Here, Ridgway is channeling his best Bob Dylan (even covering Dylan's "Lenny Bruce"). This is an relatively stripped down and acoustic Stan Ridgway. Well, that's fine, but I prefer all the bells and whistles you find on most of his other recordings. Those tweaks and twiddles that give his songs an extra dose of strange.

That being said, his revisionist take on "Big Green Tree" is in many ways an improvement over the original version found on 1995's "Black Diamond". "This Town Called Fate" is as good as anything sinister a la "The Big Heat". "Desert Of Dreams" sees Ridgway belting it out in Vegas lounge act style. "Halfway There" is a somber, reflective piece about aging and growing old and near death, looking back, taking stock of one's life, and it's a fine track, and perhaps one of the best here. However, "Turn A Blind Eye" and "Wandering Star" feel phoned in, like Ridgway was out of ideas so he decided to fall back on re-hashed Ridgway-lite.

My least favorite track is "Flag Up On A Pole", with it's dark, gritty sound, but ultimately unappealing melody. I had never heard Bob Dylan's "Lenny Bruce", but I know enough about Lenny Bruce to appreciate Ridgway's version, which I assume isn't much different from Dylan's. "Scavenger Hunt" is my other least favorite track here. "Behind The Mask" is overly long, but somewhat interesting look at what might be Ridgway's analysis of himself. The instrumental title track is slight, but enjoyable. The closing track, "Day Up In The Sun" is what Ridgway does best--takes a subject like death and normalizes it in his quirky, humorous style, this time with a tinge of bittersweetness, easily one of the best tracks here.

Overall, "Neon Mirage" is pleasant, relatively unchallenging, Ridgway. Calm and focused, insightful and yet somber in places. Generally, this album comes and goes without really making a strong impression. It's not his greatest work, but it's not his worst either. It's above average, but not by much.

Here's how "Neon Mirage" compares to Ridgway's other works:

1980 Wall Of Voodoo (EP)[Wall Of Voodoo]: Three Stars
1981 Dark Continent [Wall Of Voodoo]: Four Stars
1982 Call Of The West [Wall Of Voodoo]: Four Stars
1986 The Big Heat: Five Stars
1989 Mosquitos: Five Stars
1991 Partyball: Four Stars
1995 Black Diamond: Three and a Half Stars
1997 The Drywall Incident (including Work The Dumb Oracle) [Drywall]: Three Stars
1999 Anatomy: Five Stars
2002 Holiday In Dirt: Three Stars
2004 Snakebite: Blacktop Ballads & Fugitive Songs: Four Stars
2005 Barbeque Babylon [Drywall]: Three Stars
2010 Neon Mirage: Three and a Half Stars

This guy doesn't have to force anything. He doesn't push creativity out. It's in him and that's just a gift he's got. Album after album is either good or great. Another 5 star. Nice work Stan. Keep em coming. I'll be spinning this one for months.

The music on this CD embodies all the best aspects of Stan's music, past and present, while trying out (successfully) some new touches! It's the CD I've been waiting for now for a few years, and I love it!

Stan's songs may appear a bit subdued in light of the current pop culture, but he's got a knack for launching the listener into deep contemplations of life from social values to perceptive personal introspection. The sound lures one into both the heights of ecstasy and reflection on the past and what life is all about. Not to mention where we're headed.

He combines a bit of instrumental experimentation with synthesized sounds and enhancements, adds some great sax work that really works with his voice, and also reminds us long-time fans of the lonesome cowboy sounds that were one of the trademarks of his original band, the great Wall of Voodoo (especially on the instrumental title song).

A sadness permeates a few of the songs as Stan considers life's culmination and what may follow, but it all works beautifully.

Stan's a master musician who's music really is, as he has stated, his life. I should add that the production on this particular CD is top-notch.

Keep knocking them out of the park, Stan, as we really want more of your fantastic vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica and all the rest!!!!

Another Great CD from Stan....
Wish he did more....
Well worth the money....