Founding
Sebadoh member delivers a blistering, deeply introspective new solo
album
Indie rock pioneer Jason Loewenstein
of the legendary and highly influential band Sebadoh, which he
founded with Dinosaur Jr. bassist Lou Barlow and Eric
Gaffney, returns with Spooky Action, the title of
which could just as easily point to the current political madness as
it could to the thrill and anxiety of self-discovery.
After a six-year stint as a member of
the Fiery Furnaces and having spent the last several years
playing with, recording and/or touring with everyone from Richard
Buckner and David Kilgour to his own, still-active band
Sebadoh, it’s obvious that Loewenstein is eager to unleash the
songs he’s been stockpiling for this new release, his first solo
album since the critically acclaimed At Sixes and Sevens
(Sub Pop).
Spooky Action starts with a
hilariously unexpected short clip (you’ll just have to hear it)
before Loewenstein charges out of the gate with the frenetic and
upbeat “The One.” A piercing, furious guitar line cuts
through heavily distorted bass and galloping drums while Loewenstein
screams, “Step out on the wing, give up everything,” which is
exactly what he does throughout the entirety of this fearless album.
“Navigate”
could be a faster, crisper follow-up to “Not Too Amused” from
Sebadoh’s classic Bakesale, with biting lyrics like,
“Not gonna hang with vampires” and “Excuse me, do I know you?”
The heavy riffage and unbridled vocals on “Dead” bring to
mind Queens of the Stone Age, while the deeply melodic and
infectious “Superstitious” is a gripping heart-wrencher:
“You’re going away and I don’t know why,” Loewenstein sings
from the deepest, saddest part of himself. And the album’s final
track, “Light the Room,” is a dirgy love song that’s
simultaneously filled with optimism and dread, and somehow sounds
like a Neil Young take on the Melvins.
The 12 songs on Spooky Action
explore everything from manic hopefulness and the pain of loss, to
the fear and adventure of the great unknown. Loewenstein navigates
these complex territories with impressive skill and even, at times,
courageous wit.
With the release of this highly
anticipated new solo record, Loewenstein will return to the road with
his legendary live band, which features Bob D’Amico
(Sebadoh) and Matt Friedberger (Fiery Furnaces).
