Here is a manifestation of multi tasking: you are leading a punk-rock band Lagwagon while participating in million other music projects and you find the time to release a solo record every few years. You must be Joey Cape.
First, it was an acoustic split album with Tony Slye who passed in 2004. Four years later, it was his solo debut Bridge that stayed in the shadow of Lagwagon’s EP from the same year. Then Doesn’t Play Well With Others came and it just wasn’t significant as much as it was likable. Three years ago, he released another split album and now we have his third solo effort.
Person such as Joe Cape simply does not stay at one place for too long. Punk-rock and Lagwagon will always be my first association. Still, there is something about his solo releases. He makes whole of his music with acoustic guitar only. At one point, the sound is sleepy. At the other, it is pathetic but Joey is a master of feeling and lyrics. Often, I have no idea what does he sing about but he always manages to touch me with just one recorded note. Everything he produced in the last ten years sound similar – relaxed music, dreamy vocal, almost generic playing. Tbh,what more can you do differently with acoustic music?
This is a solid autumn album without much philosophy. There are plenty of quite instruments and symbolism known only to Joey. Overall, it is convinient for interpretation and that is what I appreciate.
Snitch Puppy lasts for 30 minutes and it sounds like you are listening to one song. It is great as a background music but it will unlikely be able to make you focus on it. The songs I have noticed are This Life Is Strange and Spill My Guts, mostly because the frist one is a single for which he made the video, and the second one features Chris Chreswell from The Flatliners.
The rest of the album is pretty much monotone. But that’s Joey. If you don’t like it, you have a choice.
