Russ Stedman got beat up, but hopefully it wasn’t
for making his music. He’s got Frank Black’s dusty-philosopher intensity on
those later Catholics records, and a pie face to match. But there’s so much
quirk in this stew that it’s impossible not to wink and nod at Stedman along
with him. You’re allowed in on the joke.
Maybe that’s where the bloody face comes in –
Stedman let the wrong hombres in on the wrong joke. But he’s none the worse for
wear, celebrating his misfortune as he tends to do, punching up the production
with 1980s new wave drum machines and synths and flanger pedals at points,
plastering his busted mug on the j-card. He’s easy to root for, this Stedman
fella. He’s easy to get into.
Got a hankering for some catchy nu-new-wave hits
with a healthy dose of self-deprecation and a razor wit? Check out “Well That
Was Fun,” then. Did I mention it’s a collection of Stedman’s tunes from other
albums? This is like a greatest hits!
--Ryan
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