2006, Rykodisc
Apparently, Jay Bennett has done some post-Wilco work.
I was not aware of this, but after hearing The Magnificent Defeat, I understand. No, Defeat is not terrible, but it sure isn’t magnificent, mediocre, or even modest.
The album kicks off busily but unfocused, and seems to have promise but quickly tapers into motonony punctuated only with the occasional kazoo (seriously). As The Magnificent Defeat progresses, the songs become reminiscent of Chilton (great!), Mellencamp (huh?), and even John Tesh (d’oh!), and many songs predictably seem to deal with betrayal (Tweedy, you bastard!/note to Bennett: don’t call a song “Replace You”).
It’s obvious by now that Bennett was not the Joe Walsh or even the David Ruffin of Wilco, and although Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was a decidedly collective effort, Tweedy & Co. stand strongly without Jay #2. It’s good to know that Bennett is still working, but mere reassurance doesn’t rescue this workmanlike pop.
C-
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