A crappy old 4-track basement recording doesn't do justice to Jim
O'Shaughnessy's pretty, melancholy indie-rock. No great strides musically, and
Jim could stand to sing out more (don't hide your light under a bushel,
friend), but more than a few tunes are truly touching, like "Buttercup
(for Paul)," "Wonderful Fall" and my fave, "Spooking My Own
Horse." There's a spark of something special here, and I hope Jim finds
some way to fan the flame.
Jim O'Shaughnessy makes real strides on the follow-up to The
Feebs' eponymous 1998 debut. Immersing himself in the Beach Boys, Built To
Spill, Townes Van Zandt, "and always the Replacements," Jim adorns
his wistful indie-rock with sweet harmony, enriching what are already strong
songs. The approach is most effective in the touchingly fatalistic
"Tomorrow Is Another Day To Fuck Up Another Way." The Feebs still win
no prizes for production (although he jokes that his 4-track recorder "has
been updated from crappy to shitty."), but if you don't mind getting your
ears dirty, you'll surely find some treasure in Jim's basement.
Reviews Ó 1998 Jim Santo/Demo Universe