Audio By Carbonatix
Welcome to “Nothing Not New,” a yearlong project in which New Times editorial operations manager Jay Bennett, a 40-year-old music fan and musician, will listen only to music released in 2010. Each Monday through Friday, he will listen to one new record (no best ofs, reissues, or concert recordings) and write about it. Why? Because in the words of his editor, Martin Cizmar, he suffers from “aesthetic atrophy,” a wasting away of one’s ability to embrace new and different music as one ages. Read more about this all-too-common ailment here.
Artist: Joe PugTitle: MessengerRelease date: February 16, 2010Label: Lightning Rod Records
There’s a not a damn thing wrong with Joe Pug’s new record, Messenger. The Chicago country-ish singer-songwriter writes evocative lyrics about interpersonal relationships, tastefully strums and deftly fingerpicks his acoustic guitar, croons with a clear, soulful tenor, and composes solid, fat-free tunes — there’s not a stinker on this 10-song record. So, in short, the guy seems like a true pro. All that being said, Joe Pug leaves me a little cold.
What’s the problem? Well, for a guy who’s made his name opening tours for Steve Earle, I’d like a little more of that scruffy Earle influence to rub off on Pug. To me, Pug is more akin to a sensitive James Taylor-type singer-songwriter than other newer country-ish guys I listen to, like Ryan Bingham and Bobby Bare Jr.
Still, Pug’s obviously talented, and it’ll be interesting to see what he can come up with in the future. You can check out Pug next week, when he plays Monday night at the Rhythm Room.
Best song: “Unsophisticated Heart” (why is this song buried at track 7?).Rotation: MediumDeja Vu: The coffeeshop, not the rock club.I’d rather listen to: Last year’s Justin Townes Earle record, Midnight at the MoviesGrade: C
The “Nothing Not New” Archives
Feb. 4 — The Soft Pack: The Soft Pack (A)Feb. 3 — Polysics: Absolute Polysics (B-)Feb. 2 — Pierced Arrows: Descending Shadows (A-)Feb. 1 — The Brunettes: Paper Doll (B-)
Jan. 29 — Basia Bulat: Heart of My Own (C)Jan. 28 — Priestess: Prior to the Fire (B)Jan. 27 — The Magnetic Fields: Realism (B)Jan. 26 — Four Tet: There Is Love in You (D)Jan. 25 — Delphic: Acolyte (C+)
Jan. 22 — The Hot Rats: Turn Ons (B+)Jan. 21 — Los Campesinos!: Romance Is Boring (A-)Jan. 20 — Midlake: The Courage of Others (D-)Jan. 19 — Laura Veirs: July Flame (B+)Jan. 18 — Beach House: Teen Dream (C)
Jan. 15 — Charlotte Gainsbourg: IRM (B)Jan. 14 — OK Go: Of the Blue Colour of the Sky (D)Jan. 13 — Eels: End Times (A-)Jan. 12 — Spoon: Transference (B)Jan. 11 — Editors: In This Light and On This Evening (D+)
Jan. 8 — Surfer Blood: Astro Coast (B+)Jan. 7 — Yeasayer: Odd Blood (C-)Jan. 6 — Cold War Kids: Behave Yourself EP (B+)Jan. 5 — Vampire Weekend: Contra (D+)Jan. 4 — Texas Tornados: Está Bueno! (B)
Jan. 1 — Scanners: Submarine (B-)
