Golden Smog - On Golden Smog
(Rykodisc)

This Minneapolis crew, one of the worthiest "side projects" in memory, cut and released this short set of covers on Crackpot Records in 1992. On the heels of the relative success of the band’s full-length Down By The Mainstream earlier this year, their marvelously titled five-song EP is getting proper distribution at last. In less than 22 minutes, Golden Smog pays shamelessly reverent homage to the Stones, Bad Company, Thin Lizzy, and the Hair soundtrack. Not only do the Smogmen craft fine new versions of songs they probably played to death when they were in high school, their vibe is such that they sound as if they could make anyone listening want be in their band.

Too bad Replacements drummer Chris Mars thought otherwise and did not play on Mainstream or join the ensuing tour; his on-the-money skinbashing here drives the set-closing "Cowboy Song" to heights of outlaw glory. Jayhawk Gary Louris pinpoints the timelessness of "Easy To Be Hard" with his distinctive vocal cry, never less than gorgeous with all its Neil Youngish disregard for polish. Dave Pirner runs through "Shooting Star" with more charm and less pomp than Paul Rogers; this one track gained wide release back in ‘94 on the Clerks soundtrack. The Stones’ Backstreet Girl gets a vivid reading too.

Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, who added another fine dimension to the band in their ‘96 incarnation, doesn’t seem to be in the house on this one, though once again the contractual inability to list the artists’ actual names in the booklet leaves the listener unsure. The weird thing is it doesn’t even matter much. Not that the players are interchangeable; certainly not just any group of guys could pull off such an enterprise on a level even approaching this. Henry Fonda could definitely dance or suck face to this.

YEAH YEAH YEAH, 1996