hyphenated-man

Mike Watt

29 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		78%
4 star		16%
3 star 0% (0%)		0%
2 star		6%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

How are ratings calculated?

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

D. Green

Watt's most "econo" work to date?

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2011

Verified Purchase

I have been a fan of Mike Watt through all his musical incarnations. I saw the Minutemen and fIREHOSE perform several times each, and have many of his albums with them, Ciccone Youth, Dos, the Unknown Instructors, and others.

Watt's solo albums are truly different from his other work, yet you can definitely follow the thread. This album reminds me a lot of his work with Dos, because although there is a full band, his bass is so prominent in the mix, and the tunes are short and complex. It's a very challenging listen; in many ways his most "difficult" music to date, and perhaps his least commercial in a long time, but the rewards become evident if you are patient and keep listening. That said, it is not difficult to listen to -- just difficult to get your head around. (Unlike other avant grade stuff, you don't feel assaulted. It is more like discovering a new place than being sonically beaten up.)

Many years ago, when I was an English major, I wanted to do a tribute to D. Boon, so I picked a bunch of short Minutemen lyrics I liked, to read at an open mic night. However, when I checked, most of those lyrics were written by Watt. This album, with its strange metaphors, its thematic structure, and playful twists, reminds me of why I like Watt's wordage so much.

It's strange and wonderful and challenging stuff, and I think it is awesome that at 53, Watt is still trying new things.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Public Name

Looking for something you never heard before? Well here it is!!

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2018

Verified Purchase

Orig. music that nobody can duplicate. Bass lines from Mike are some of the best in the music industry. Most songs clock in at around 2min. Guitars add their own depth to the already catchy bass lines. Drummer is really tight and bangs on them hard. One of the best albums by Mike. I've never heard any type of music like this album. Great!!! If you get a chance to see them Live they are even better

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Kirk Barlow

El goupo no no!

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2018

Verified Purchase

Not as good as older stuff,wish he would just jam.forget the cussing and acting like it's 1979 and no one has heard punk.

Helpful

@GNES $TECK

...from the Man in the Van w/the Bass in his Hand

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2011

Verified Purchase

I am in no way a religious person, but: GOD BLESS MIKE WATT.
Forget that this is Watt's first (solo) album in over six years (yet he's performed on probably 6 or more other projects since, including AI's Kelly Clarkson's 3rd album and the 1st STOOGES' album in over 20 years!); forget that this is his THIRD (punk rock) OPERA; forget even Watt founded the MINUTEMEN and fIREHOSE...know only THIS: that on Hyphenated-Man, Mike Watt & the Missingmen pound out 30 original, no-frills power trio blasts of post-punk skate-jazz filtered through dirty speakers and joyfully sung with a Yogi Berra-like ease. Watt's THUD STAFF is as heavy, deft and poignant as ever. The production by Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu) pours from the speakers warm and big; this band sounds like they are playing in your lap. The music is everything a fan of the Minutemen/fIREHOSE/Stooges/Mike Watt/Banyan/Unknown Instructors/Funanori might want: intense jazz/folk/punk that is both simple and profound, played with mad musicianship and insight. Watt's voice has grown husky from growling out his SPIEL (arty/political truisms) these passed 30 years: though nary is a rant in site: he means every word. Mike Watt opines heartfelt punk poetry (this time about being middle-aged) that somehow could have been uttered by you or me (or your dad...but this f'n rocks!). And what about these Missingmen? Raul Morales plies his drums like a man possessed of virtuosity, power and finesse. His rhythms are both loose & tight, with more than a passing nod to the never-overly-busy clockwork drumming of Minutemen George Hurley. Then we have shamefully unknown guitarist Tom Watson who skates and scrapes his guitar strings into arpeggiated bursts of Frippian skronk one minute then jangling angular REM-ish chord pop the next right before reeling into blazing atmospherics that paint the spaces left by Misters Watt & Morales. Though these musos tear through 30 songs on Hyphenated-Man, the whole album works as a suite, an opera per Watt. The sum affect is akin to 30 movements or passages that create a whole rock-n-roll painting. Taken in this context, the listener can hear Mike Watt's concept of each song playing a character from Heironymous Bosch paintings, filling up the canvas of his sonic landscape with "belly-stabbed-man" or "arrow-pierced-egg-man". This album is all too human with all the hyphenated-men, yet the 47 minute CD flew by...didn't I just hit play? So I hit play again, and then again. Hyphenated-Man succeeds joyously on the kind of spastic punk/funk/folk ferocity that Watt/Hurley/Boon invented with the Minutemen. This stuff is pure id from the guts of a bass troubadour who only wants to play his bass, spiel a little, and perform that DIY music just like we like it. Mike Watt & the Missingmen are on tour through April 2011: do yourself a big, rock-n-roll favor, GO SEE/HEAR them! And per the on-going admonition of Mr. Watt himself: go start your own band (I did)!

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

Chris L. Monroe

Mike Watt Returns...

Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2012

Verified Purchase

I loved this album from the first time I heard it, not a weak song in the bunch. I've always been a huge fan of Mr. Watt in his various bands and projects. This album does not disappoint. I definitely hear a touch of Minutemen and fIREHOSE in this record, but with no hint of nostalgia. This is Watt doing what he does best. This will soon be a punk rock classic, an accolade which is definitely deserves. Ok my spiel is done now, go buy the record!!

Helpful

CMick

D Boon would be proud.

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2019

Verified Purchase

Mike Watt brings back the spirit of The Minutemen on this release. Great collection of songs 👍

Helpful

EUGENIO AMARAL

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2018

Verified Purchase

Firehose for life!!! Thank's Mike.

Helpful

D. Stachovak

Watt is always solid

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2013

Verified Purchase

I have enjoyed Mike watts playing since the Minutemen, and fans of earlier Watt won't be disappointed. Mikes' vocals are very solid, and the band sounds tight and punchy.

Helpful