On the Shelf 180: Greg Graffin
May. 11th, 2017 07:48 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bedsitter23Greg Graffin has a solo album, Millport, which based on history is something he does about every ten years. It made me think of Cold as the Clay, his second record, which was released in 2006 (His solo debut was released in 1997).
The funny thing about Clay is that I remember liking it, but it has no real effect on me. I don't remember the songs nor do I feel like pulling it out ever. Facts that even aren't true for Bad Religion's 2013 album True North.
Graffin's solo career is legitimate in that he strays from his usual path, in this case music steeped in Old Time Country and folk. Not necessarily a bad thing as there is a logical path from punk. John Doe, Mike Ness and Tom Morello all used solo careers and side projects and explored country and folk. You can probably think of others who made that leap in logic- Joe Strummer, Billy Bragg, Hank 3, the Mekons.
Millport is a tough album to evaluate. In theory, he draws from old time country, and he is sincere to the point where he also expands to bluegrass and gospel. Indeed, an "atheist gospel" song in "Time of Need".
The positive is that the things that make Graffin great (if indeed you are a fan) are what make this album great- his melodic voice, a knack for melody and some great lyrics.
Unfortunately the album ultimately fails. While Graffin generally pulls it off, it's only be a fine margin. Instead of feeling like inspired punk, it almost seems like Graffin is doing karaoke. I don't know if it's the production or the band. I hate to fault either. I like Brett Guerewitz and the band is essentially the most recent incarnation of Social Distortion. It just seems too saccharine to me.
Other choices may have worked better. The band's weakest moments could probably be confused for the Doobie Brothers or Tesla.
Of course, the problem is I am guilty of that 2017 affliction -the polarization of extremes- I tend to classify albums as excellent or terrible. This one is just merely good. I like the cover of "Lincoln's Funeral Train" which seems appropriate, but on repeated listens falls into some of the album's tediums. The title track is another one that is pretty solid.
It is enough that is enjoyable, but a hard one to get excited by, meaning I want to recommend it, but I doubt others will experience even this much enthusiasm.
Available for purchase or streaming on Bandcamp
The funny thing about Clay is that I remember liking it, but it has no real effect on me. I don't remember the songs nor do I feel like pulling it out ever. Facts that even aren't true for Bad Religion's 2013 album True North.
Graffin's solo career is legitimate in that he strays from his usual path, in this case music steeped in Old Time Country and folk. Not necessarily a bad thing as there is a logical path from punk. John Doe, Mike Ness and Tom Morello all used solo careers and side projects and explored country and folk. You can probably think of others who made that leap in logic- Joe Strummer, Billy Bragg, Hank 3, the Mekons.
Millport is a tough album to evaluate. In theory, he draws from old time country, and he is sincere to the point where he also expands to bluegrass and gospel. Indeed, an "atheist gospel" song in "Time of Need".
The positive is that the things that make Graffin great (if indeed you are a fan) are what make this album great- his melodic voice, a knack for melody and some great lyrics.
Unfortunately the album ultimately fails. While Graffin generally pulls it off, it's only be a fine margin. Instead of feeling like inspired punk, it almost seems like Graffin is doing karaoke. I don't know if it's the production or the band. I hate to fault either. I like Brett Guerewitz and the band is essentially the most recent incarnation of Social Distortion. It just seems too saccharine to me.
Other choices may have worked better. The band's weakest moments could probably be confused for the Doobie Brothers or Tesla.
Of course, the problem is I am guilty of that 2017 affliction -the polarization of extremes- I tend to classify albums as excellent or terrible. This one is just merely good. I like the cover of "Lincoln's Funeral Train" which seems appropriate, but on repeated listens falls into some of the album's tediums. The title track is another one that is pretty solid.
It is enough that is enjoyable, but a hard one to get excited by, meaning I want to recommend it, but I doubt others will experience even this much enthusiasm.
Available for purchase or streaming on Bandcamp
