 |
The
Flaming Lips
Finally the Punk Rockers are Taking
Acid
label: Rykodisc / Restless
released: 09.17.02
our score: 3.5 out of 5.0
|
From a quick
glance at the cover of Gold, you may immediately think
"Now there's a good ol' American rock 'n' roll boy."
Then, as you take a second look you may notice the flag Ryan Adams
has placed himself before is, in fact, inverted. So your next
thought may be, "What, is he trying to be the anti-hero to
Bruce Springsteen and his classic 'Born in the USA' image?"
The reality, however, is that the question is pointless overall
since you're never going to achieve a complete answer. One thing
that is certain though is the fact that from the cover alone you
can get the feel that Adams has a tendency to place himself in
a much greater light than he may deserve. Still, upon actually
listening to the album you'll learn he's not quite the
pompous bastard he'd like you to believe. He's more of a run-of-the-mill
rock 'n' roll jackass.
First off,
it must be made clear that being a jackass isn't bad by default
when it comes to rock music. It is, after all, what makes some
musicians so memorable. They're emotional creatures by design;
where else would they find the words for their poetry? This Whiskeytown
frontman is no different. Gold is, without argument, a
collection of fairly sucessful roots rock concoctions - each one
defined by a strong lyrical sense.
Like most successful
country/rock confections, Adams does the obligatory exploration
of emotion through an array of introspective ballads and all-out
rockers (well as rocking as folk rock can get). "La Cienega
Just Smiled," "Firecracker" and "Sylvia Plath"
are ample proof of this songwriting and musical ability. And overall
the album is an impressive exploration of territory previously
covered by Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and other greats before him.
Still the album
does hold an overall air of narcissism. With a running time of
over 70 minutes, one can't help but notice Adams overindulgence
in himself. By the time "Harder Now That It's Over"
comes to a close you'll find yourself realizing the album really
hasn't gone anywhere since "Enemy Fire" and you're wondering
why it's still playing. Sure, each track on Gold is good
for what it is (I do personally dig this disc) but in all reality
none of them is truly outstanding. Adams is absolutely a great
rock musician with a superbly crafted lyrical sense,
but he isn't God.
Sorry Ryan,
but you aren't.
12-Aug-2002
9:04 AM
If you
liked Finally the Punk Rockers are Taking Acid...
|
Tracklist:
Disc:
1
1. Bag Full Of Thoughts
2. Out For A Walk
3. Garden Of Eyes/Forever Is A Long Time
4. Scratchin’ the Door
5. My Own Planet
6. With You
7. Unplugged
8. Trains, Brains & Rain
9. Jesus Shootin’ Heroin
10. Just Like Before
11. She Is Death
12. Charlie Manson Blues
13. Man From Pakistan
14. Godzilla Flick
15. Staring At The Sound/With You
16. Killer One The Radio
17. Batman Theme
18. Anywhere, Anyhow, Anyway
19. Handsome Johnny
Disc:
2
1. Everything’s Explodin’
2. Maximum Dream For Evil Knievel
3. Can’t Exist
4. Ode To C.C. (Part I)
5. The Ceiling Is Bendin’
6. Prescription: Love
7. Thanks To You
8. Can’t Stop The Spring
9. Ode To C.C. (Part II)
10. Lover Yer Brain
11. Groove Room
12. Jesus Shootin’ Heroin
13. Trains, Brains & Rain
14. Communication Breakdown
15. On Million Billionth Of A Millisecond
Disc:
3
1. Drug Machine In Heaven
2. Right Now
3. Michael, Time To Wake Up
4. Chrome Plated Suicide
5. Hari-Krishna Stomp Wagon
6. Miracle On 42nd St.
7. Fryin’ Up
8. Hell’s Angel’s Cracker Factory
9. UFO Story
10. Redneck School Of Technology
11. Shaved Gorilla
12. The Spontaneous Combustion Of John
13. Last Drop Of Morning Dew
14. Begs and Achin’
15. Death Valley ’69
16. Thank You
17. Can’t Stop The Spring
18. Jesus Shootin’ Heroin
19. My Own Planet
20. After The Gold Rush
21. Death Trip At Sunrise
|
|
