Gordon Gano Hitting The Ground CD

The Violent Femmes' punk-pop underground sound gave combative nobodies a voice in the '80s and '90s, thanks to Gordon Gano's playful twist on teen angst and panting sexual frustration. Two decades later, Gano was still the indie-rock artisan when he made his solo debut with Hitting the Ground. Gano's selection of songs were exclusively written for some of his heroes, not to mention some of indie-rock's finest like They Might Be Giants, Frank Black, and Mary Lou Lord. Hitting the Ground is flat-out clever, cool, and cocky. Cymbals and two-tone percussion shimmy and shake on the album title track. PJ Harvey is an uncanny match for Gano, for her wicked vocal stomp and distorted guitar work on this surf-styled number is equally fiery to his own sarcastic rendition. His frenzied punk howl of "Make It Happen" sticks with the winning formula, too. Ex-4 Non Blondes frontwoman Linda Perry carries the lovelorn torch song "So It Goes" beautifully, while John Cale remains unruffled on the piano-driven lounge cut "Don't Pretend." Gano's songwriting on these particular songs hit to the core of what we're all afraid to notice: Life sucks sometimes. He's always been painfully honest, whether he's been funny or crass about it. The funky "Catch 'Em in the Act" is classic Gano, with sexy, self-explanatory lyrics of male sexual adventure. Lou Reed's blues-tinged jams and sleek vocals point a finger at the paternal side of things, but humorously so. More than anything, it seems that Gordon Gano just wants to have fun. He's obviously had a blast with the Violent Femmes, but takes things in a personal direction on Hitting the Ground. What took him so long? That doesn't matter. Hitting the Ground is up to expectation and longtime Femmes fans shouldn't be surprised. ~ MacKenzie Wilson

W/Pj Harvey,Mary Lou Lord,John Cale,Lou Reed,Frank Black &Mor

Personnel: Gordon Gano (vocals); Lou Reed, PJ Harvey (vocals, guitar); Mary Lou Lord (vocals, acoustic guitar); John Cale (vocals, piano); Cynthia Gayneau, Linda Perry, Martha Wainwright, They Might Be Giants, Frank Black (vocals); Melora Creager (cello); Brendan Ryan (keyboards); Frank Ferrer (drums); OConnor (background vocals).

Photographers: Michael Halsband; Dave Heath .

Personnel: Gordon Gano (vocals); They Might Be Giants (vocals, various instruments); PJ Harvey, Mary Lou Lord, Lou Reed (vocals, guitar); John Cale (vocals, piano); Frank Black, Cynthia Gayneau, Martha Wainright, Linda Perry (vocals). Melora Creager (cello); Brendan Ryan (keyboards); Lonnie Hillyer (bass); Frank Ferrer (drums).

Producers: Gordon Gano, Warren BRuleigh, They Might Be Giants.

Q (10/02, p.126) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A brisk, varied and entertaining little package..."
Uncut (10/02, p.104) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...the collection not only shows the unexpected range of Gano's songwriting ability, but leaves you humming and wanting more."