Lambchop, Is A Woman (Merge) 9
Lambchop illustrate the point that originality does not guarantee likeability. Originally mis-labeled an alt-country band, the Nashville-based band led by Kurt Wagner gradually engorged throughout the nineties into a sort of orchestra of fourteen musicians. Their repertoire expanded to soul, covering Curtis Mayfield's "Give Me Your Love," and incorporated those influences with confoundingly quirky Nixon ('00), which earned frothing accolades. I recognized Lambchop's craft and unclassifiable style with a pretty high rating, yet to be honest, the album rarely made it back to my CD player. On Is A Woman, Lambchop's seventh album, they continue to be an acquired taste, abandoning the previous album's orchestrated ambition for a more internalized, muted yet upbeat approach. Liberated of his day job by the band's success, Wagner hung out at home, writing fairly life-affirming songs set to meandering piano arrangements and tentative guitar strums. The music bears resemblance only to the more subdued, filmic moments of contemporaries Tindersticks. It may be brilliant, but hardly captivating. However, those patient enough to nestle into the eleven cocktail-hour torch songs will be rewarded with clever surprises like the meticulously quiet sound effects, both analog and digital. You would never know it, but at least nine musicians participate on each song. The only time you even notice a band playing is halfway through "D. Scott Parsley," when drums, vibraphones and other instruments are actually audible. Those hungry for more musical moments are served a few enticing scraps in "The New Cobweb Summer" and "Caterpillar." Gone are the country and soul influences. Is A Woman is focused much more on the voice and lyrics. Wagner's vocals awkwardly refer back to the pre-rock crooners, though he's obviously less focused on entertaining than making an artistic statement, which won't be appreciated by the dinner-parties its destined for. Those who like their music bold, brash and eager to please should stay far away. The remaining diehards just might appreciate Is A Woman for its haiku-like simplicity.
