The great thing about having this blog is the ability to get the big important news out there straight away. No waiting around for a radio show on Sunday to deliver a message that’s yawningly out of date.
So the plan was to get the new Lou Barlow record, Goodnight Unknown (on Merge in the US and Domino everywhere else) on the day of release and do a kind of real-time review as I listened to it for the first time. What a grand, exciting and innovative plan, hmm? I was pretty pleased with it. It was going to be great.
Then, the Monday it was released, it didn’t half rain. It’s a 20 minute walk to my local HMV, and frankly, I would have got soaked. No-one wants that.
Then the next day I had some other stuff to do, and the whole week got busy somehow, so I eventually bought it last weekend.
I bet the sodding reviews desk at the NME doesn’t have that problem, although I do recall the story of Steve Lamacq, while seconded to LA in 1993 as the NME’s West Coast correspondent, driving through the middle of a forest fire in order to get his hands on a limited-edition (of 16,000) Echobelly 7″ from Union Jack’s Brit Wax Emporium, LA’s most popular anglophile record store*. He’s made of sterner stuff than me.
Anyway, the new Lou Barlow album is great. A hugely prolific songwriter, his work with Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, Folk Implosion, his myriad Sentridoh releases, and a fantastic website are all testament to his abilities.
Having loved 2005’s Emoh (from that record, Morning’s After Me, performed live, above), I was a bit worried that his touring with the reformed Dinosaur Jr might blunt the gentle acoustic charms showcased on that record. And yes, there is a bit more noise on this one, but some really pretty moments too.
It comes across much like a Sebadoh record, ie it’s stylistically all over the place, a couple of ballsy rockers open up proceedings, followed by some sweet Emoh-style strummers. Lou has employed The Missingmen – Mike Watt’s band – to back him on this record and to play live. They’ve combined to make a lovely album that slots comfortably into Barlow’s rich back catalogue.
Lucky Dinosaur Jr fans in the US will be able to see Lou and The Missingmen open for them through October and early November – check dates here.
Anyway, one thing I do have over the NME reviews desk is the ability to get away with not being all that descriptive about a record – I can just embed a video! Like this!
Thoughts on Lou Barlow? Anything else to say? Leave comments below….
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Steve Show Posse 
Maybe there should be a SteveShowPosse umbrella for these types of emergency. If we are to compete with NME we have to go to battle wind, rain or shine!
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I like this blog, but when is Sammy gonna write something…? No offence to you harry,I thought you were by far the wittiest steve show member during the shows and a joy to listen to.
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Hi Johanna, I’m sure Sammy will be posting something from her remote northern outpost soon. She’s no doubt a lot busier than me… Thanks for the kind words!
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You know what you should do Harry? Go to Blogtalkradio.com and get yourself a free radioshow, it´s a great site. The posse could join you as well. Check it out!
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