Dump - A Grown-Ass Man
(Shrimper)
At last, James McNew has given listeners a finely crafted gem. Each glittering facet reflects a different style and humor that is McNew. He proves here that he can rock, seduce and use his kit bag of electronics to create a cohesive whole. There is something here for every listener without alienating anyone.
Unlike my old favorite, I Can Hear Music, which was released on Brinkman back in the mid-90s, A Grown-Ass Man never loses momentum. The very first track, "Dump on Both Sides," with all of its quirky vocals and staccato drumbeat, is a reminder that he really is a one-man band. Four minutes into the second track, "Sisters," it turns so earnest and is the one I find myself humming. He flows effortlessly from electronic track to guitar strumming track and then he rocks out with a song like "Basic Cable."
There is also something dazzling about the three covers. The Marvin Gaye cover he later performs with Sue Garner has all its own sweetness. The "Mr.Too Damn Good" is actually sexy and humorous, and the Thin Lizzy cover, "Cowboy Song," totally rocks.
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