.The Minus 5

Killingsworth

Some bands are essentially associations or collectives built around
the lead of one or two players. Steely Dan is one, the Minus 5 is
another. The latter act’s principals are Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh
Fellows) and Peter Buck (REM), accompanied this time ’round by a troupe
including members of the Decemberists, Norfolk & Western, Mendoza
Line, and the Posies. This lot brings McCaughey’s sardonic story-songs
to life with flair, confidence, and succinctness. There’s little of the
droll power-pop of the Fellows — the ambiance is closer to the
finely wrought folk-rock and country-flavored lilt of Younger Than
Yesterday
/Notorious Byrd Brothers-era Byrds, Bonnie Prince
Billy, and Beachwood Sparks.

McCaughey’s comforting, kindhearted singing evokes late-1960s Ray
Davies of the Kinks. He even writes songs like him, although McCaughey
doesn’t “crib.” Killingsworth is full of vignettes rife with
glowing yet plainspoken but detailed and trenchant observations borne
upon low-key, captivating, cozy melodies. The winsome, tragicomic “Big
Beat Up Moon” is an overview of a neighborhood packed with people
dis-united by loneliness. “I Would Rather Sacrifice You” is a
facetiously stirring country gospel song about a pious Christian
soldier devoted to saving the world and killing anyone that gets in the
way (I spread the gospel with my gun). Killingsworth is
an album to unite two (or more) generations of rockers — get a
copy for your friend enamored of Wilco or that parent or sibling who
still listens to the Band and Randy Newman. (Yep Roc)

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