The Tunes They are a-Modern

Zimmerman's croak is thicker, harsher--like a weathered butte suddenly trying to sing. The tunes are reminiscent of those on Love and Theft, ranging from driving rockabilly blues and country riffs to a sort of perverse lilting French cafe jazz. Haven't paid much mind to the words as yet but so far I dig.



I turned Julio on to Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings; his enthusiasm grew to the point that he bought this Robyn Hitchcock CD which features my favorite folksy duo as back-up band. Very appealing, very Syd-Barrett-ish. Might get more Hithcock.



I like V in its entirety more than I liked American III or IV. It's heavy; Johnny is ready to meet his Maker, and looks forward to finding June Carter at the Pearly Gates. On some tracks he can barely get breath, but it works, particularly on the Gordon Lightfoot cover.



Picked this up a month ago and listened to it every day until I nearly drove myself mad. It's that instantly likeable. Time will tell if it sticks in the rotation.