Wagner as in Kurt, the Lambchop main-man, not Richard the Opera man. It is still a good mood piece, as in Flotus, the new Lambchop album.
It has been a while since a new Lambchop album was out, and up until recently, they used to beg greeted with quite a joy. This one seems to be greeted with somewhat of a frown. “Too much electronics”, some say, Yes, there are quite a bit of electronic elements involved in Lambchop music on this album, so what? Also, the introductory track “In Care Of 8675309” and the closer “The Hustle” run at almost twelve and over 18 minutes respectively, giving the tone of a mood piece to this album. The question should be not whether it is too much electronics or “have Lambchop given on their values”, but whether is it any good.
Actually, it is very good. A lot of people forget that Kurt Wagner is an avid record collector himself, and that he not only follows the new trends but also gives a good look back at what he and the others have done. Here that new trend involves takin a look at those classic Stevie Wonder’s “Music of My Mind” and “Talking Book” albums through a new, modern light and adding them to everything he has done himself previously, including Americana and great lyrics. But then, soul has been an element of Lambchop music for a while now.
Good music and great lyrics were never a problem for Wagner, and he doesn’t disappoint here either. He seems to keep on puling this stuff out of his sleeve as if he had to much time making up the music and lyrics while he was setting those floors in the houses around Nashville during his previous life career.
So no frowning on my side, just enjoyment of the moods Wagner creates. Who knows what is up next, opera?
