So ends another weekend, cold and gray in Minnesota's May.
How is this even possible? Tomorrow is supposed to be nicer, but it's May 1st today and there's green grass out there, yet its still barely breaking 40 degrees in the sun. Oh well. Such is our station in life, living in the heart of North America. Someday, though. Someday we'll sit in the sun on our little patio overlooking Uptown and grill some fish and veg, having a celebratory cocktail while shaking our heads in disbelief about our seasons.
But enough pining over the clouds! The weekend is over and there is another week of life to be seized! Cherished! Noses to be put to grindstones, axes to grind and grinds to get done! Until then, I'll fill in a little gap that was created inadvertently.
A little over a week ago I wrote about the peaceful solo work of Joey Cape. The day after I wrote about his fast-paced and energetic career as the singer for Lagwagon. Between those two extremes lies the work of Bad Astronaut, a group Cape helmed during a hiatus in his punk career. Drawing members from related acts, Bad Astronaut served as a way for Cape to try some more experimental or deviating ideas rather than stay in the established veins of his career. Unfortunately due to the suicide of Bad Astronaut drummer Derrick Plourde the group has effectively disbanded, giving way to the resurgence of Lagwagon and Cape's solo work. In their short career the band put out three albums and a split EP. Among the best of their work was their final album, Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment.
The album, released on Fat Wreck Chords in 2006, showed what the band was capable of when given free reign on their material. As I mentioned earlier, Bad Astronaut was filling a gap of sorts in Cape's musical range. While Lagwagon was more relentless and his solo work soft and introspective, here we have Cape delving into his poppier, groovier side while flexing his songwriter's muscle. There are straight pop-rock songs like 'Good Morning Night' and summery, wistful drivers like 'Stillwater, California' and 'Best Western'. Tracks like 'Ghostwrite' and 'Beat' run smoothly, tucked into tight pockets by their rhythm. In particular, I love the way 'Beat' creates this moody, sparse and almost broken atmosphere in quieter parts of the intro and verses. Cape and the group do a great job of working in their space, really rounding out their sound across the spectrum.
The highlight of the album by far, though, is the track 'Minus'. A somber tale of what the world could be without certain things, the song is a moving, powerful peace that show what Cape can do when not confined to the likes of pop-punk. It's a slow, sad affair, but one that shows excellent song craft and a finesse of the creative process. The way the melody plays over the chords and the resolutions the chords create in their cycles show Cape really is a talented writer. This a fantastic song that I wish could get more exposure than it has, it absolutely deserves acclaim.
I suppose the fact that Bad Astronaut is no more only heightens my appreciation of the group - scarcity drives up demand, right? I always thought that worked with creative content, too. I'm glad to know Cape is still writing, recording and performing after this phase in his career. There are honestly points on this album that I hear the tinges of Kurt Cobain in there, echoed in the poppy yet gravely songs. Cape shared a similar nature with Cobain in that sense, I think, when you look at the respective musician's secret love of pop. While there's no much of Bad Astronaut to go around, I'm sure glad to have what we do. Listen to 'Minus'. It's good.
How is this even possible? Tomorrow is supposed to be nicer, but it's May 1st today and there's green grass out there, yet its still barely breaking 40 degrees in the sun. Oh well. Such is our station in life, living in the heart of North America. Someday, though. Someday we'll sit in the sun on our little patio overlooking Uptown and grill some fish and veg, having a celebratory cocktail while shaking our heads in disbelief about our seasons.
But enough pining over the clouds! The weekend is over and there is another week of life to be seized! Cherished! Noses to be put to grindstones, axes to grind and grinds to get done! Until then, I'll fill in a little gap that was created inadvertently.
A little over a week ago I wrote about the peaceful solo work of Joey Cape. The day after I wrote about his fast-paced and energetic career as the singer for Lagwagon. Between those two extremes lies the work of Bad Astronaut, a group Cape helmed during a hiatus in his punk career. Drawing members from related acts, Bad Astronaut served as a way for Cape to try some more experimental or deviating ideas rather than stay in the established veins of his career. Unfortunately due to the suicide of Bad Astronaut drummer Derrick Plourde the group has effectively disbanded, giving way to the resurgence of Lagwagon and Cape's solo work. In their short career the band put out three albums and a split EP. Among the best of their work was their final album, Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment.
The highlight of the album by far, though, is the track 'Minus'. A somber tale of what the world could be without certain things, the song is a moving, powerful peace that show what Cape can do when not confined to the likes of pop-punk. It's a slow, sad affair, but one that shows excellent song craft and a finesse of the creative process. The way the melody plays over the chords and the resolutions the chords create in their cycles show Cape really is a talented writer. This a fantastic song that I wish could get more exposure than it has, it absolutely deserves acclaim.
