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Golden Smog
Another Fine Day
(Universal)
Golden Smog began life over a decade ago as a low-key outlet for the overactive imaginations of Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Soul Asylum's Dan Murphy, Big Star drummer Jody Stephens and various Jayhawks.
Initially, the plan was to get together and play a few favourite covers, but again, we're talking overactive imaginations here; hence, originals soon followed.
Another Fine Day, the first new music from Golden Smog in a number of years (they've been busy elsewhere, doncha know), features but one cover -- a faithful reading of The Kinks' Strangers -- amid a decidedly psychedelic, Nuggets-type atmosphere.
Tweedy's contributions recall the stripped-down country ballads Wilco once called its specialty, which is a good thing.
But overall the mood is rockin', with the alternating lead vocalists often fighting rave-up guitars for attention. It works, however; there's too much talent on hand for it not to.
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And when the band settles into a groove like the glorious Corvette or the title track (which comes closer to the Wilco of today), this is a fine album.
Fine, but still a stopgap for all involved.
Track Listing:
1. You Make It Easy
2. Another Fine Day
3. 5-22-02
4. Long Time Ago
5. Corvette
6. Beautiful Mind
7. Listen Joe
8. Cure For This
9. Hurricane
10. Strangers
11. Frying Pan Eyes
12. Gone
13. Never Felt Before
14. I Can
15. Think About Yourself