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I've been guilty of neglecting Johnson's work because I suspected him of resume-coasting: Johnson played with Dinosaur Jr. for some of that band's fattest years. But this CD suggests just how unfair - and misleading - accusations like that can be. I Feel Alright is a rather ironic title (as the cover image might suggest) for a record full of brooding, bittersweet songs, richly delivered in Johnson's worn leather baritone and expansively arranged with strings and keyboards. What might be a weak aspect of some albums - of the twelve songs here, five are covers - is for Johnson a very revealing strength: among the artists covered are Leonard Cohen, Love, and Lee Hazlewood. His voice matches the range of growlers Cohen and Hazlewood, and the arrangements here are reminiscent of both artists' best work. From Arthur Lee and Love he takes a melancholy and somewhat folk-like approach to songwriting. The moody orchestrations, along with Johnson's low, undemonstrative vocals, recall Tindersticks as well. With this record, Johnson begins to place himself in very good company. |
