Lambchop - Another 'I don't get it' topic .

Posted by: Peter Stockwell on 26 March 2002

Inspired by Nick Lees and his quest to get jazz, I decided to get a Lambchop recording. I bought Nixon. I've listened to it a couple of times, but despite a certain wistful charm, it goes right by me. It just seems so insipid, do you have to persevere with Kurt Wagner or what?.

Peter

Posted on: 26 March 2002 by Peter Stockwell
Nick,

I was pretty certain the mood had to be right, although there's some amusement/admiration for his attempt to sing falsetto. It reminds me of a cross between Donald Duck and Marilyn Monroe's efforts at singing. Production is nice, the tunes seem to be backward in coming forward, although I don't think I would go as far as to say there aren't any.

Peter

Posted on: 26 March 2002 by Mike Hanson
Based upon the glowing reviews on the forum, I went out and bought "How I Quit Smoking", "Nixon", and "Is a Woman". Although I can see how "Nixon" is a little different from the other two, the style is exceedingly consistent thoughout all the albums.

Curiously, I can't say that I noticed his falsetto in anything but "Nixon", and that was during the high points in the songs (where the emotional intent was strongest). I agree, his falsetto sounds a little strange, but O wouldn't call it "bad". His normal singing voice is pretty damn quirky too. In fact, I think it would be perfectly suited for "kids" music.

Overall it's nice, relaxed music, without any of that "twang" that I hate in country music. I'm enjoying them, but they're certainly nothing special to write home about.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 26 March 2002 by Peter Stockwell
quote:
Originally posted by Mike Hanson:

Overall it's nice, relaxed music, without any of that "twang" that I hate in country music. I'm enjoying them, but they're certainly nothing special to write home about.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

I think there's some pedal steel guitar on Nixon, that's about as close as it gets to country for me.

Peter

Posted on: 26 March 2002 by garyi
I have said it before and I will say it again, Nixon is 'ok', what another man spills is excellent.

Their latest is the best to date

Posted on: 26 March 2002 by Mike Hanson
quote:
I think there's some pedal steel guitar on Nixon

That's not enough to make it country for me. For example, Crowded House had a bunch of steel guitar on their later work. It certainly wasn't country. It's not the instrument that counts, but how it's used.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 26 March 2002 by Peter Stockwell
Mike,

Nice to know you're still around, I was wondrin' about you the other day and you popped up on Steven's bog seat thread, IIRC. If the Lambchop was more obviously country I may have found the way in more easily. Another record that I bought recently was Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Alive 'n' Kickin, and this is twangier. It's may be too bizarre to be called country tho. While I'm at it I'll givesecondspin another plug. I picked up the Dan Hicks and two recent mellencamp Cds at half US prices, and less than half of Eurozone prices.

Peter

Posted on: 26 March 2002 by Allan Probin
My wife caught me listening to Nixon a few days ago, during one of those falsetto moments. She's convinced I've been listening to "Orville" and can't be pursuaded otherwise.

Allan