Search - Jay Farrar :: Thirdshiftgrottoslack

For Jay's move forward

Jason Bunch | Indianapolis, IN United States | 10/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That is why I give this release 5 stars. I have been listening to Jay and Jeff for a long long time, as well as Paul (Westerburg) and Bob (Mould) and Dave (Priner) and all of those midwest rats that stirred things up with a potent mix of punk, folk and country back in the 80s and early 90s. But like the musicians, most of their audiences have grown and expanded...and hopefully that means musically as well as numerically. Jay is an amazing songwriter, I would claim he is one of the best of his generation. But great songwriters don't settle for formula and Jay has proven with Sebastopol and ThirdShift that he is willing to apply what he does best to differant formulas and for that I say Jaylelujah!This release shows Jay is willing to create great music despite all those fans (and previous reviewers) who would pigeonhole him forever into being that guy from Uncle Tupelo. The fact is that Jay is still writing brilliant songs that fit into his familiar framework, but he is progressing and these "purist"/reactionaries can't seem to handle progression. Well, they can have the "Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack, meanwhile, I will be happy with great songs like "Greenwich Time" and "Dues". I too loved Son Volt and Uncle Tupelo, but I absolutely love Jay solo. I can only imagine what his present critics here have to say about Wilco...God forbid they ever start listening to Jazz, Stanley Crouch would be put to shame I would imagine."

Another step in the right direction

scott15396 | Oriskany, NY United States | 08/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Forget the last two reviews from San Diego and Jackson Hole ... This is the same individual who pines for a return to the days of Whiskey bottle. I've got news for you, it's 2002 and it ain't gonna happen. Anyway, back to the music. Aside from the remix of Damn shame, not much studio trickery involved here. Greenwich time is a strong acoustic number which does harken back to past UT days. The Damn shame remix kind of grows on you, much like the original. Station to station is the best song here, quality lyrics from Jay and somewhat uplifting piano from Drozd. Kind of Madness is yet another showing of Jay's dark humor that showed up on Sebastopol. Dues shows us that Jay does still know how to play lead guitar. I hope Jay continues his recent approaches to making music. Son Volt was a creative dead end for him and I hope they never reunite. He needs to get Mark Spencer into the studio for his next full release."

A tuneful, easy-going 5-song collection

William Merrill | San Antonio, TX United States | 08/14/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Mr. Farrar's previous CD was good; this EP is even better. "Blank-meets-blank" comparisons are silly, and I'll prove it now by saying ThirdShift made me think of Gram Parson merged with R.E.M. "Station To Station" in particular has the winsome feel of R.E.M.'s "So. Central Rain." I enjoyed Jay's stuff with Son Volt - and Uncle Tupelo too for that matter. He's an artist who is building an impressive body of work. There isn't much to this EP - it's only 14 minutes long - but what's there is choice."