Another retrospective review here of the great man's work recorded in the last decade of his life.
'The Crutch that Cripples Me' has nice tremolo and fuzzy distorted guitar plus percussion to keep it rolling. It is a tale of quiet desperation. 'All She Wrote' brings Ian's American(a) influences to the fore and it's a really catchy number. A classic you might say. 'Swing So Low' pretty much rocks out from start to finish. 'Cheating Time' is fast and frenetic and almost a battle cry, the battlefield being a domestic one. "All men are drunk and violent and all women are insane".
'Afraid of Everything' is a touch maudlin and glam in style. "Please don't come around 'cause I'm happier like this". 'Get Forgotten' bristles with punk rock energy. 'Pilgrim's Progress kind of reminds me of Aussie band Midnight Oil in a strange way which is a good thing in my opinion. 'That's How People Get Killed' is the centrepiece that holds this album together. There is anger here and it's a binding force.
'Can't Hold On' is an underground pop anthem. 'Jesus on the Wing' tells an alternative tale of the man himself. 'Dumptruck Manna' seems like a strange title but again it has an alternative pop feel to it which is reinforced by the harmonies. It is a bit like The Wonder Stuff, circa Hup.
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'Never Know' stretches out over 7 minutes is a reflection on life and how it always seems to go astray. This is an example of what Ian did so well. It is full of acute observations that can only come from a painterly eye and perhaps a little personal experience as well. 'She's Cold' is a devastating tale best heard on record rather than experienced for real. 'The Hardest Kick' is short and sweet and to the point. "Still I don't wanna, kick the hardest kick".
Hard to say if this is better in any way to the 'Get Out The Sun' album. I wouldn't have one without the other to be honest and with both you get a lot of bang for your buck.
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