Search - Alex Chilton :: A Man Called Destruction

Possibly Chilton's best solo effort

brian | MI | 04/30/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A Man Called Destruction is the most successful Chilton release since his Feudalist Tarts EP in the mid-eighties. Alex's voice is excellent, the playing is solid, and the songs avoid the indulgence of most of his earlier solo career. "New Girl In School", "Sick and Tired", and "What's Your Sign Girl?" are some of his most inspired covers, and "Don't Stop" is one of his best Post-Big Star compositions. Overall, AMCD is the most satisfying solo album from Chilton- just don't go in expecting it to sound like Big Star and you'll enjoy it."

But it Still Doesn't Measure Up

Brian E. Spitz | NY/NJ | 01/09/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album is probably Alex's best post-LIKE FLIES ON SHERBERT recording (not counting the inconsistently fantastic new Big Star album, IN SPACE). However, just because it garners that title, doesn't mean it's good. Just because I'm not supposed to expect Big Star doesn't mean I won't. Just because I do, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

A MAN CALLED DESTRUCTION couldn't have been a more fitting title, as Chilton appears to have completely sabotaged himself. I know, I know, that's been his idea all along, he's making music for himself, and on, and on, and on, etc.



It just seems like someone so enormously talented ought to take the ol' songwriting chops out a little more often rather than rely on dated covers like, "New Girl in School," and "What's Your Sign?"



The brilliance that brought you songs like, "No Sex," "My Rival," and, "Bankok," (notice how I didn't cite any Big Star songs) poked its head out for "Lies" (an old cover that Chilton manages to make fresh), and "Don't Stop," by far the man's most inspired post Big Star composition.



In the end, I still respect Alex Chilton for being one of the music industry's most steadfast figures of the past 40 years. He was good in The Box Tops. He became a legend in Big Star. Since that band's demise, his genius seems to routinely evade him. This album, like most of his other ones, shows flashes of brilliance, but none as consistent as what I'm sure any fan of Alex would like to hear.



One star for surprisingly good production. One for two great songs. And a third for credentials."