Tommy Stinson
(Done To Death Music)
Before being old enough to shave, Tommy Stinson was a member to one of the most influential bands of the ‘80s. Drafted by his older brother into The Replacements at the age of 13, he spent his youth contributing to epoch-defining albums and traversing across the country playing whiskey fueled shows. His subsequent years have been no less eventful - serving as bassist to both Soul Asylum and Guns N' Roses, he's never been idle for long. With his second solo LP One Man Mutiny, Stinson delivers passionate, albeit cliché rock.
The first two tracks "Don't Deserve You" and "It's a Drag" are snarling blues driven tirades that set the mood for the rest of the record. Stinson's rawer here than on 2004's Village Gorilla Head, and his lyrics focus on booze, tumultuous relationships, and belligerence. Although the songs are frequently bitter, melancholy ballads such as "Come to Hide" and the eponymous track carry an emotional weight that counterbalance the more humorous songs. The country tinged "Zero to Stupid" also showcases Stinson's hitherto untapped yodeling potential.
While the guitar work echoes Exile era Stones and Paul Westerberg's influence is apparent in the caustic, self-deprecating lyrics, the album never comes across as facsimile. The past decade has seen a slew of effete solo records from artists recycling banal material, but fortunately One Man Mutiny is salvaged by Stinson's enthusiasm. His visceral delivery commands attention and the instrumentation is well crafted.
One Man Mutiny isn't perfect, but it's a highly listenable album from a man who's seen it all. Anyone who's heard of Stinson knows his story, and knows what to expect from him - compelling rock & roll.
DOWNLOAD: "It's A Drag" and "One Man Mutiny" SAM BALTES
