Sharp-Faceted Gem in the Boulders
Don Thomason | Dunbar, KY United States | 07/10/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Django Haskins has obviously listened to a lot of Elvis Costello, and it infused his writing. Not that Laying Low and Inbetween apes that sound, but this janglepop trio (Haskins, Byron Isaacs, and Neil Nunziato) has lyrical smarts and melody lines which hark back to Costello. Django and the Regulars make some infectious rock music here, especially "Dumbed Down," a smiling but scathing swipe at submitting to starmaker machinery (boy bands, are you listening?). Some of the best moments include the catchy "Disappointment Book," "12 Gauge Microphone," and especially "Time and Again" which has the emotional impact of, well, Costello's "Allison" or "Party Girl." The album, produced by Don Fleming (Sonic Youth, Hole, The Smithereens) is engaging, not overly sunny for pop, and tends to grow on you."