Weak Beats And Lame-Ass Rhymes

On Weak Beats & Lame-Ass Rhymes, Two Dollar Guitar welcomed the addition of Luc Suer and a flurry of guest musicians. The trio of Tim Foljahn, Steve Shelley, and David Motamed grew to include a wealth of new musicians, and the result was astonishing. Guests include guitarists Nels Cline, Doug Easley, Timmy Prudhomme, Michael Mcmahon, and Smokey Hormel, as well as guest vocalists Christina Rosenvinge, Janet Wygal, and Carla Bozulich of the Geraldine Fibbers. The remarkably richer sound is full and complex without losing the grace of the band's intricate blend of minimalist guitar, bass, and drums. The ten tracks build an emotional momentum, from the somber opening track, Solitaire, which is followed by the bittersweet harmonies of Kilroy. Rosenvinge's lead vocals on Green Room are a first for the band, as Foljahn finally released his complete grasp as lead vocalist. It's followed by Foljahn's distant vocals on the lethargic Pink and Green. Bozulich offers up vocal support on Bozo Shoes, while the dark and bluesy Stones Vs. Zep and T-Shirt are most reminiscent of Two Dollar Guitar's earlier work. The tongue-in-cheek Everybody's in a Band brings the disc to a light and cynical close. The drum machines and organs add to the group's sound, which had already evolved on their 1998 instrumental effort, Train Songs. The result is a stunning series of songs that finally seem fully fleshed out when played next to the band's earlier, barebones efforts. The album was recorded over the course of a year with engineer Suer at SYR Studio. ~ Stephen Cramer, All Music Guide