Taking a breather from Yoko for a few months back in 1974 was good for John Lennon (at least musically), and it was even better for Harry Nilsson, who became his go-to music bud. The two started paling around, doing what footloose and fancy free music men will do – i.e. raise some hell and record some eclectic tunes. In between their trips to various bars, the two headed into the studio with other famous friends (Ringo Starr and Keith Moon among others) to create an eclectic mix of covers and originals. The result, produced by Lennon, was called Pussy Cats and over the years, it has morphed into a sort of lost classic.
Fastforward to 2006 and NYC indie darlings, the Walkmen found themselves with some extra time on their hands before hitting the road. What to do? Hmmm . . . How about re-recording Pussy Cats? And that’s just what they did. The original album was a bit of a red- headed stepchild to begin with considering that it included everything from the hard-hitting spitter “Subterranean Homesick Blues” to the drunken waltz of “Save the Last Dance”, but the Walkmen gamely dove right and for the most part, found the right mix of the sublime and ridiculous. Lennon, Nilsson and the gang didn’t take themselves too seriously on this one to begin with and rightly, neither do the Walkmen.
The overall feel of the record ranges from raucous rockers to swaying ballads full of heartsick bitter edges. “Many Rivers to Cross” is full of angst and features top notch vocals and some great weeping guitar moments. The band, backed by a team of additional friends/musicians, also does a first class job of fuzzing up and speeding up the old classic “Rock Around the Clock”, but Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues” does get away from them at times, but the same could be said for the original as well.
All in all, not a bad way for the Walkmen to spend their down time . . . |