Search - Mike Watt :: The Secondman's Middle Stand

Organs and surgery

Allan MacInnis | Vancouver | 09/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Great to have a new Watt album. If you've not bought any of his solo stuff, you should realize that they're amazing albums, being somewhat neglected by the herd in general, but as strong and exciting as anything being done in the world o' rock today (which is generally a graveyard, but still). However, you should probably start with his guest-star-studded BALL HOG or, for something more Watt-centric, CONTEMPLATING THE ENGINE ROOM, both of which are really exciting discoveries and immediately strike you with their rightness and force. Newbies might want to hold off on this new one for a little bit, tho', unless there's some pressing need to know the songs before seeing a Watt gig: there are definitely things I like about this third solo disc (the use of organ as a lead instrument, say, which, I've decided after a few days, does sound pretty damn cool, if unusual -- anyone who likes organ in rock, even, uh, progrock fans, might find cause for delight here) but the first reaction is kinda one of puzzlement, because the subject matter is a little, uh, odd: this is a rock opera based on Watt's 2000 "internal abscess" in his perineum (which got very serious, because doctors missed it), his subsequent surgery, and recovery. There are a few references to Dante, but mostly this is a pretty personal document of something that most people...just...don't write rock operas about. (The one about his father had a universal appeal, because we all have fathers; maybe if I'd had surgery at some point I'd be more easily won here). Don't get me wrong, I kind of like it -- esp. the tunes "Pissbags and Tubing" and the nicely-textured "Pelicanman;" and musically one feels like it does WORK -- but I don't fully GET it as of yet; gonna be spinning it for awhile before I feel like I understand it. Maybe when I see it played live it'll all fall into place. Until then, if you know and love Watt's other two albums, you should by all means buy this, but don't expect it to sound like anything else you've heard by the guy before, and be prepared for the rather personal theme o' th' lyrics. Who knows, after 20 more listens it might become one of my favourite albums... (Post script, post-gig: on second thought, Watt knows we know him and he knows we care; why NOT trust something this intimate with us? Thanks, Mike, for treating us like friends instead of consumers; you're a beautiful person). (This is going to be, oddly, the most interesting album of the year for me... I can feel it now)."

Hoorah

zachtown | nyc | 10/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off this is not your fathers rock opera however who would even expect that from mike watt in the first place. This nis the music Mr Watt was meant to make. HYe relives us of the frustration of the Minutmens one minute songs and intead takes the listern on fully a fully formed musical journy.

Its such a pleasure to see indie rocks first generation of stars are continuing to surprise and stimulate us... This album combined with sonic youths Sonjic Nurse (i think) qualifies 2004 as a fantastic year for vintage musicians!"

A joy to listen to

77Jim | Philadelphia PA | 01/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A long devoted fan of Mike Watt, I must admit I had some reservations when he dropped the guitars and started touring with simply drums, bass and organ. I've had the fortune of hearing this material live on his last three US tours so the songs on this record took little time to gel with me. This album in particular may take some time to grow on you though... as others have mentioned it plays like an abstract jazz record.



I was immediately taken by the subtle melodies and intricacies heard better on the CD versus the crowded punk rock clubs. There are little "happy organ riffs" and slap bass fills which remind me of some of the things I've loved about all of Watt's previous bands. Watt's cap tip to Dante's Inferno has both angelic melodies and rumbling anxiety.



This is an album about triumph in the face of darkness. It is a joy to listen to. God bless Mr. Watt."