Jad Fair Sound Of Music: An Unfinished Symphony In 12 Parts CD

Ten years after their 1988 recording, ROLL OUT THE BARREL, Jad Fair and Kramer finally settled some lingering disputes and made this follow-up. The modus operandi this time was quite different, though the results are no less satisfying. If the liner notes are to be completely believed, Kramer recorded all the music in three days all by his lonesome. Then Jad listened to the finished tracks once. On the second listen he wrote the lyrics for each piece. On the third playback Jad recorded his vocals.

Hype, legend or fact, it doesn't matter--since these dozen songs are subtly intricate, fearlessly confident and hook-filled as all get out. Jad's yelp of "yeah!" on "Elenor" is worth the price alone. Jad Fair remains an artist to be reckoned with. His ability to identify an emotional thread in the music and build it into these fully believable and engaging songs is astounding, and even a little scary--he's that good.

1st Collaboration Since 1988

Recorded in 1998 & 1999. Includes liner notes by Kramer.

Personnel: Jad Fair (vocals); Tess (ukelele); Kramer (keyboards, programming);

Magnet (8-9/99, p.74) - "...a shiny little pop masterpiece, filled with the simple pleasure of Jad being Jad, which is why we have listened these last 25 years."
The Wire (9/99, p.58) - "...Throughout, Kramer's arrangements are versatile and provocative but the semi-spoken, semi-ranted lyrics, delivered in Fair's whining voice swiftly becomes monotonous....generally very hit and miss."
CMJ (5/17/99, p.28) - "...On the new outing, each participant's pronounced egomania, wonderful quirks and peculiar talents cut through a thick cloud of pot-pop fog, with Kramer's on-the-cheap, but clear and ingenious production adding an eerie intimacy to Jad's nasal enthusiasm and whelped outbursts..."