Down by the Old Mainstream

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Made by a sloppy bunch of midwesterners with names like Jarret Decatur, Raymond Virginia, and Leonardson Saratoga (better known to us as the Jayhawks' Gary Louris and Mark Perlman, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Soul Asylum's Dan Murphy, and a couple of their friends), Down by the Old Mainstream is like a piece of pecan pie, both literally and figuratively. Literally because, well, the CD design looks like a pecan pie. Figuratively because more than a dozen slices of wholesome goodness are packed inside--a little messy and syrupy at times, but altogether filled with the comforts of home. It's best not to question why guys from successful rock bands--roots, country, and mainstream--would get together ad hoc, apparently to make a record none could make in their main gigs, and then fill it with the same kind of roots, country, and mainstream rock songs we've heard from them all along. Sure enough, Golden Smog sounds a lot like the Jayhawks on Louris's "V," like Wilco on Tweedy's "Walk Where He Walked," and like Soul Asylum on Murphy's "Red Headed Stepchild." Still, there's a joy, looseness, and conviviality that comes across in songs like "He's a Dick" and "Pecan Pie" that only Down By's brand of stress-free anonymity and lack of purpose could produce. What Golden Smog misses in factory polish, it makes up for in homemade warmth--just like the goodies Grandma used to make. --Roni Sarig --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From the Label
The Smog, an alternative roots-rock “supergroup” (if you will), consists of six talented musicians from the American heartland known to each other (but not their moms) as Jarrett Decatur, David Spear, Raymond Virginia, Michael Macklyn, Scott Summit and Leonardson Saratoga. While the names might not be familiar, one listen to Golden Smog will erase any doubt about their pedigrees. In fact, if you’ve followed American rock music in the past ten years, you already know and love the... read more --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Down by the Old Mainstream

Average customer rating:

Another Great Golden Smog album
Jeff plays bass, Mark and Kraig play rhythm, Dan & Gary play lead...
Stars Behaving Badly
Good but...
not revolutionary, but very nice

Down by the Old Mainstream
Golden Smog
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Weird Tales
Another Fine Day
On Golden Smog
Loose Fur
Born Again in the USA

Accessories:

GPX C3948BI Ultra-Slim CD Player with 40-Second Anti-Shock Protection and Car Kit

ASIN: B0000009PS
Release Date: 1996-01-16

Tracks:

V
Ill Fated
Pecan Pie
Yesterday Cried
Glad And Sorry
Won't Be Coming Home
He's A Dick
Walk Where He Walked
Nowhere Bound
Friend
She Don't Have To See You
Red Headed Stepchild
Williamton Angel
Radio King

Amazon.com

Made by a sloppy bunch of midwesterners with names like Jarret Decatur, Raymond Virginia, and Leonardson Saratoga (better known to us as the Jayhawks' Gary Louris and Mark Perlman, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Soul Asylum's Dan Murphy, and a couple of their friends), Down by the Old Mainstream is like a piece of pecan pie, both literally and figuratively. Literally because, well, the CD design looks like a pecan pie. Figuratively because more than a dozen slices of wholesome goodness are packed inside--a little messy and syrupy at times, but altogether filled with the comforts of home. It's best not to question why guys from successful rock bands--roots, country, and mainstream--would get together ad hoc, apparently to make a record none could make in their main gigs, and then fill it with the same kind of roots, country, and mainstream rock songs we've heard from them all along. Sure enough, Golden Smog sounds a lot like the Jayhawks on Louris's "V," like Wilco on Tweedy's "Walk Where He Walked," and like Soul Asylum on Murphy's "Red Headed Stepchild." Still, there's a joy, looseness, and conviviality that comes across in songs like "He's a Dick" and "Pecan Pie" that only Down By's brand of stress-free anonymity and lack of purpose could produce. What Golden Smog misses in factory polish, it makes up for in homemade warmth--just like the goodies Grandma used to make. --Roni Sarig

Customer Reviews:

Another Great Golden Smog album.......2006-08-21

These guys are great. All three of their albums are worth adding to your collection, especially if you are a fan of Buffalo Springfield/Byrds country rock.

Jeff plays bass, Mark and Kraig play rhythm, Dan & Gary play lead..........2006-06-07

This was the first full-length Golden Smog album. It was not a planned event; the songs were mostly things that members had cooked up separately or in various pairings. Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Kraig Johnson and Dan Murphy, all based in the Minneapolis area, had been playing pickup gigs together for some time. Finding themselves with spare time and material, they decided to smog together an album. They invited Jeff Tweedy, recently divorced from Uncle Tupelo, to help make the record.

Much of _...Old Mainstream_'s charm lies in its loose, unconcerned vibe. For that same reason, the more heavily-produced and polished followup _Weird Tales_ might be a better starting place. But for of all that album's high points, _Down By the Old Mainstream_ makes for a more consistent listen - the quality is steady throughout, and the songs fit right together. If _Weird Tales_ hits you over the head, this one sneaks up on you - somewhere around the third or fourth listening, right about the time you get to "Williamton Angel" or "Radio King", you'll be sitting up and saying, "wow, this is good!".

I had the privlege of seeing these guys play two years ago, and even without Mr. Tweedy, they were awesome. I can't wait for the new album.

Stars Behaving Badly.......2003-05-12

Though one might call Golden Smog a supergroup, the fact is that this collaboration is actually the exact opposite. Depite bringing together a bunch of musicians who have achieved fame in other places, "Down By the Old Mainstrem" features them kicking back and having fun without letting individual egos get in the way. "Mainstream" is a particular triumph for the Jayhawk's Gary Louris and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. Louris because the style of the album represents a more rocking departure from his usual work and Tweedy because he lightens up like he never has before (or since) in his career. Tweedy's throaway ode to "Pecan Pie," in fact, is highlighted by the visuals both on the CD booklet and the CD itself.

The other highlights include an ace cover of Ronnie Laine's gorgeous "Glad and Sorry," "Won't Be Coming Home," Kraig Johnson's hilarious "He's a Dick," "Friend," the rocking "Red Headed Stepchild," and the fine closer "Radio King." Every song has the kind of loose, devil-may-care feel that is all-too-lacking in much of today's rock music. In fact, "Mainstream" is more fun than the more recent "Weird Tales," from this same bunch.

Overall, a rollicking, spirited album showing the playful side of some very fine musicians.

Good but..........2003-04-14

This is a good album but by no means a great one. With members from Soul Asylum, Wilco (and incidentially, Uncle Tupelo) and the Jayhawks, the songs evoke each of these bands, but not in the way one might hope. This is one of those albums that's good, until you hear the band's other work and then it's thrown to the bottom of the pile, though it's still pretty darn high on the pile. There are some truly great songs (V, He's Such a Dick, Pecan Pie, Radio King) but there are also many decent but decidedly filler tracks. Down By The Old Mainstream seems to be the bands "tryout" album, before they really hit one home with Weird Tales. IF you're a Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Soul Asylum or Jayhawks fan you probably already have this, but if you're not, get Weird Tales instead.

not revolutionary, but very nice.......2000-12-16

OK, it doesn't break any new ground. OK, you may not need this to make your cd collection more complete or coherent. But why should yuo care? If you can have this music and listen to talented people with a taste for nostalgia and harmony, why don't you? It can stand next to the Jayhawks and Wilco (the other bands I do not know) and it's great fun to listen to. Buy it and warm your heart.

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