Customer Reviews

Swing Like a Metronome

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4 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album has a hard-to-describe ethereal quality about it, at once both whimsical and earnest. Its not fast, not slow, and not really in between, just a nicely paced, full length cd. I must admit that I enjoy M. Ward'd vocals much more than the other frontman, yet he is no slouch. If you like Grandaddy (Jason Lytle plays keys on this) or M. Ward, this album will stay in your player for a while.

"Swing Like a Metronome" was released with little publicity and no fanfare, so it remains a largely unknown collection. But for fans of bands like Uncle Tupelo or Grandaddy, this will be a brilliant discovery. Rodriguez is a trio led by the twin songwriters Kyle Field (his solo project is called Little Wings) and Matt Ward (he records solo as M. Ward). Though the songwriters' styles are a bit different (especially lyrically), the two styles complement each other nicely. Like Lennon/McCartney or Farrar/Tweedy, the contrasts only serve to make the band's efforts more interesting. This album was partly recorded by Grandaddy's Jason Lytle, and partly by Adam Selzer (of Norfolk and Western), but the songs stand together as a cohesive unit. For an idea of Rodriguez's taste, consider their choice of covers: Townes Van Zandt's "Loretta" and Sonic Youth's "Tom Violence". These two songs provide a nice intro into the world of Rodriguez. If you're already discovered "Swing Like a Metronome", you might look for the respective solo works--they're worth seeking out. By debut recording standards, this might be 5 stars; but in light of rock and roll history, it has to be a strong 4 stars.

"Swing Like a Metronome" was issued without much fanfare or publicity, and as a result remains a largely unknown album. But for fans of bands like Uncle Tupelo or Grandaddy, this is a brilliant discovery. Led by the twin songwriters Kyle Field (his solo project is called Little Wings) and Matt Ward (he records solo as M. Ward), Rodriguez is a band that relies on the strength of its songwriting. While the two songwriters' styles are slightly different (especially lyrically), they complement each other very well. Like Lennon/McCartney or Farrar/Tweedy, the two writers' styles contrast each other, but make the group's efforts that much more interesting. This record was partly recorded by Jason Lytle (Grandaddy leader) and partly by Adam Selzer (of Norfolk and Western) but the songs stand together as a cohesive unit. If Rodriguez's choice of covers appeals to you (Townes Van Zandt's "Loretta" and Sonic Youth's "Tom Violence"), by all means check this recording out--those songs provide a nice intro to the world of Rodriguez. If you've already discovered "Swing Like a Metronome", look into the respective solo projects--they're worth seeking out. By debut record standards, this could be 5 stars but compared to rock history it has to be a strong 4.

this is an information for anyone interested in the early 70's legend rodriguez: please note that "swing like a metronome" is NOT by sugar man rodriguez who wrote "cold fact" and "after the fact". this other guys music is completely different. unfortunately i was fooled by this mistake as well.