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***Donit let the title fool you. Behind their often somber facade, Two Dollar Guitar knows they make powerful music. They have a good time making it, and "weak beats and lame-ass rhymes" is their best yet.The ten songs on this record build gradually, crest, wash through the ears and down to the soul. Extending its intimate sound, the band employs percolating drum machines, organs, street sounds, and musician friends. Propelled by the all-natural, ever-churning rhythm engine of Steve Shelley and Dave Motamed, "weak beats" also proves to be prime time for Tim Foljahnis voice and lyrics, as they make themselves cozy at the bar next to Neil Young, then wander off to neck with Nico. This record also marks Timis break with his steady baritone and the welcome debut of both his tender voice and soulful roar. In the early 90is, guitarist Foljahn and drummer Shelley (Sonic Youth) lent their talents to records by Thurston Moore, Cat Power and Mosquito (with Jad Fair). The pair added bassist Motamed (Cell) and released "Let Me Bring You Down" (93) and "Burned and Buried" (95)otwo offerings filled with dark tales and acrid yells. 1998 was a Two Dollar turning point. The trio released "Train Songs," an improvised instrumental showcase of Sturm und Drang. And Foljahn released "Hotel Opera," a solo album recorded at home that captured his penetrating lyrics and penchant for minimal surrealism. Both albums were departures. The arrival of the new record merges the ever-changing band and a host of guest musicians. Christina Rosenvinge, already well-known in Spain and Latin America, sings a duet with Tim on the dark samba iWhite Apei and lead vocal on the Topanga Canyon-esque iGreen Room.i Others lending their voices to this work are Carla Bozulich (Geraldine Fibbers/Scarnella) on the Mephistopheloid iBozo Shoes,i and Janet Wygal (Splendora/the Wygals) on the Gainsbourgian iKilroy.i Guerilla guitarsenal is supplied by friends Nels Cline (Scarnella), Smokey Hormel (Beck/Tom Waits), Tim Prudhomme (Fuck), Doug Easley and Michael McMahon. Each guest delivers, and Two Dollar Guitar has never sounded as strong as it does on "weak beats and lame-ass rhymes." The resulting album is neither. Two Dollar Guitar successfully connects the Champs ElysEes with Hollywood & Vine, and it drops it in the middle of Manhattan. It is at this intersection that we find the Weak Beats and Lame-Ass Rhymes Saloon, where the bartender knows your troubles, the drinks are strong and the music is 180 proof. |
