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What also makes this album so frustrating is that there are some solid songs scattered amongst the detritus. “Honey Bee” is perhaps the most ballsy and aggressive song Williams has ever recorded. It’s damn loud – drums and a whole mess of guitars flail away as the singer practically shouts some suggestive lyrics that would make puritans in the audience blush. “Jailhouse Tears” is a humorous and somewhat poignant story of a “three-time loser” and his long-suffering significant other. Sung as a duet with Costello and wearing its country music influences proudly, the singers each offer their side of the story; Costello’s assertion of “Look at me/ I’m clean now” is wryly dismissed by Williams’ unconvinced female character: “You’re so full of shit.”
These moments are unfortunately rare on Little Honey; its meandering and lovey-dovey songs are always lurking around the corner like the crazy uncle you’re trying to avoid at the family reunion. And like that crazy uncle, once you run into these songs it’s a total buzzkill. This isn’t to say that Williams should create Car Wheels On a Gravel Road II either, nor does it mean criticism of this release is nothing more than complaining by Gravel Roadites clamoring for such a sequel. Certainly it’s always nice to see an artist with an established reputation and musical style attempt new things, both musically and thematically. But sometimes those attempts fall short of the mark and the results are underwhelming. Little Honey is such an album.
p.s. Why must one defend every song and every album and every tour? It’s against all odds that anyone could do everything wonderfully without missing a note and thereby able to satisfy everyone all the time! Plus, the consistent and constant negativity is way off key as well. It’s a bit concerning when someone uses “we” in their post when they are speaking from a singular place–the group think in hear can be deafening… And, when one is so, so defensive it is brutally easy to be “rubbed the wrong way”–like a dog guarding a bone or in this case a delicious steak…
Fortunately, there have been several long-time fans (who are still and always will be long-time fans) that have posted feedback and comments exactly in this same vein. And it’s OK by me that the album is, as Eric Whelchel states in this article, an underwhelming…dud. Not every album or every concert or every song can outstanding. In my humble opinion, it is the job of a fan to be open and honest with their discerning ears. A responsible fan is not always a cheerleader-nothing against cheerleaders that is. Frankly speaking, I enjoyed ECs North as well as LWs West…
I have met many artists from across the spectrum over the years (db, NY, LWs, Elvis C., Rob Wasserman, Bob Weir, Nick Lowe, Bill Kirchen, Chris Franz, Bo Diddley, Emmylou Harris, Natalie Merchant, Tina Weymouth, The Subdudes, BNL, John Prine, Tim Easton…) and have come to realize that it is very difficult traveling from town-to-town having 500-plus “friends” wherever they go. The times that I have spoken to db among others, I have come to realize that some people are quite shy–especially db. Plus, what does he owe us/you anyway? Isn’t the music enough? I have had several conversations with him and know that he is much more of a one-on-one person and that’s OK by me–I treasure each time that I have organically connected with LWs and db along with others, too. Finally, I think it’s nice to infuse other information into any forum–you know, so one gets a more thorough picture of what’s out there. Like in this case, dwindling ticket sales from the edge of the stage. Isn’t it nice to get different viewpoints from around the campfire? After all, everyone brings something to a conversation…
This, from David Byrne’s most recent forum post. By the way, his Radio City face ticket prices start at $130 and go down from there. His perspective on the whole music thing is very interesting and well-rounded indeed–in this case he touches on empty seats as it appears from the performer’s viewpoint:
The NY promoter has urged that we add a second Radio City date (February 28th) and I have agreed. I had to think about it for a few days, as it’s a big place and the possibility of playing to a half-filled hall on the second night would be both depressing and bad for my rep. There’s something about the proximity of bodies in a theater that generates excitement and energy. Granted the top balconies could be empty and no one would know, but empty seats scattered here and there in the orchestra and lower balconies generally makes it harder for an audience to achieve release, to let go and enjoy themselves…The first show is almost sold out after being on sale for only a couple of weeks and with only one significant ad — so that was an argument in favor of adding the second show. With more ads and posters around town, more people will know about the event; many friends I meet have no idea when I’m playing NYC. “Oh, you’re on tour! When will you be playing New York?” — so if we can reach those folks there is a chance the second show will do OK. Maybe even better than OK. (There is also the small matter of the economic meltdown, but Geiger says there has been less impact on “quality” acts, which I guess he means includes me.)
Actually Tim, NY revisted his Harvest sound when he made the record Harvest Moon so in fact, some things come to fruition via a full circle (there were many interviews and press releases that discussed how NY processed and produced Harvest Moon in light of Harvest). I remember seeing that tour when he was with Booker T and the MGs (Sound Garden and Blind Melon were the openers). Nonetheless, when we frame Little Honey against her earlier works, I must agree with the “critics” from the perspective of the album is a rocker. Doug’s guitar persona comes through loud and clear. I find West to have much more of a LWs footprint to its sound: reflective and deep are several of the songs. Little Honey’s lyrics and melodies don’t have the same power to their punch but again, that’s only how I see it.
I agree in terms of the economy however with one caveat: NY was charging $250 face value for his tickets on this tour along with ~$60 for GA in Worcester for floor seats. At that price, it’s no wonder that seats go empty. Worcester was almost at capacity with lots of tickets on the streets. The challenge will be to sell $59.50 tickets for any musician that tours as much as LWs. David Byrne is having no problem selling out a world tour but then again he tours only once every four years or so… John Hiatt tours a lot in one form or another. Amiee Mann is arguably a much different artist than LWs, JH, or NY–not the same caliber I would argue–more of a small club act–The Birchmere in VA, 1st AVE in MPLS or The ‘Dise in Boston. Maybe one of the variables is an artist saturating their own “niche” market, which makes people not want to go and see them. Back in the day, LWs shows would sell out instantly but that was well before the many dates over several years…
Nice post, Tim. I would have to disagree however and after seeing NYs latest tour with Wilco; he is doing some of the things he always does–playing a lively mix of old stuff with new stuff. Here his latest setlist:
Love And Only Love / Hey Hey, My My / Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere / Powderfinger / Spirit Road / Cortez The Killer / Cinnamon Girl / Oh, Lonesome Me / Mother Earth / The Needle And The Damage Done / Light A Candle / Unknown Legend / Heart Of Gold / Old Man / Get Back To The Country / Just Singing A Song / Sea Change / When Worlds Collide / Cowgirl In The Sand / Rockin’ In The Free World // A Day In The Life.
As you can see, there are many oldies along with some newer material. Sure it was different with Greendale but that was a musical story of sorts. I still think that many fans would like a mix from LWs as well. Here is a grid of Neil’s latest tour: http://www.rustradio.org/chart.php?tour=uscan2008 Speaking of which, I wonder what a similiar grid would look like from LWs tours? Hard data tells a story!
Thanks, David
Best show: Pieta Brown opening for Ani Difranco in Buffalo at Babeville (her restored church and HQ) last Nov. (the day before seeing David Byrne play U-Buff Arts Center didn’t suck either!)
Best musicial moment: Zappa Plays Zappa at Hampton Beach this past summer “He Used to Cut the Grass” and other Joe’s Garage pieces.
Best album (and a very good concert as well): Old Crow Medicine Show “Tennessee Pusher.”
Best new artist: Rupa and the April Fishes
Best website and interactive band: Wilco at www.wilcoworld.net
What I am looking forward to in 2009: Seeing M. Ward at the Somerville Theater in Feb–also his new album.
Best reissue: The Name of the Band is Talking Heads from Talking Heads. Classic, really, changed a lot of what music is today…arguably speaking of course.Doesn’t seem like such a dead horse–it appears very much a live issue in terms of setlists. It’s especially relevant coming from a new observer versus an established forum cheerleader. Towards the end of the last tour, it appears that much more pre-CWOGR material was seeping into the sets–the two shows at the Fillmore are a good example of this. Indeed, what will 2009 bring for setlists especially in light of the need to sell tickets?…
Hmmm… Could it possibly be that she is not drawing the crowds that as in the past is because of her current record and (rock) sound? Is the LW market now saturated? What about the fact that Buick 6 is opening and backing her? And what about the “newness” of her setlists? Perhaps considering a meaty double-bill might boost ticket sales…? Although the variables are endless, ticket sales appear everything but endless.
No change of heart here–Still not in love with LWs latest sound, lyrics, tour, and album. If she comes to my ‘hood, I might stop by for a song or two and to see Doug P. Wouldn’t travel, however plus I am still scratching my head in terms of the whole double-dipping with Buick 6. Why not put together a bill that might help with ticket sales and exposure of an up-and-coming band? I remember seeing M. Ward open for Norah Jones a few years back. He was out of control–just as the Jayhawks were some years ago for LWs. Nothing against Buick 6 but I am not going to put much currency into a skilled “cover band.” No closet cheerleading here but I appreciate the vote of confidence although I love most of her music (since the late ’80s of course!).
Nice! Excellent information, Tom and please know that I appreciate your efforts/time very much. Hopefully the tentative Concord date will come through (that’s such a great smaller room and it seems to draw a terrific New England crowd) and I can’t help but think that last tentative is the Merrill in Portland-East. Can you throw a brother a bone–is it true in terms of the Merrill?
Sincerely,
David
I imagine with the VT gig in the books, she will move closer to Concord, NH and Portland where she has always played during her secondary market stops. Although I love Burlington, March in VT is pretty harsh in terms of spring storms and I will wait to see how the tour develops. With all due respect, I am not so sure I would make the trek for her current sound/configuration…
