Band: Adam Green
Release: 2010
Label: Rough Trade

1. “Breaking Locks” – B
2. “Give Them A Token” – C+
3. “Buddy Bradley” – C-
4. “Goblin” – B-
5. “Bathing Birds” – B-
6. “What Makes Him Act So Bad” – A
7. “Stadium Soul” – A-
8. “Cigarette Burns Forever” – B+
9. “Boss Inside” – A-
10. “Castles and Tassels” – A-
11. “Oh Shucks” – B+
12. “Don’t Call Me Uncle” – B+
13. “Lockout” – B+
14. “You Blacken My State” – B

Comments: Like his former band, Moldy Peaches, Green is an acquired taste. For me personally, his vocals are elegantly boring. The backing instruments aren’t anything extravagant or worth thinking about. His form of sophisticated outsider music begs for Daniel Johnston comparisons, but unfortunately Green suffers from being less of an overall force (not shockingly) than the granddaddy of obscure folk music. Green shines best when he and his back-up band do their best Lou Reed/Velvet Underground impersonation in “What Makes.” The energy and style of that song carries over to the next and the next. Definitely, I’d listen to a great number of these songs again for Green’s exquisite story-telling, which is an art in itself. In the end, I’m split over whether I’m truly impressed by this album or if it is just another release that has a mix of great, good, and average tunes.

Final Grade: B (85)