THE SUN SAWED IN 1/2 - Bewilderbeest
NotLame/USA
It isn't often a reviewer knows full well that he/she is hearing the subjected band's final release, even before the fingers hit the keyboard. But such is the case with this, the 5th and final album by St. Louis popstars The Sun Sawed In 1/2. In fact it was about a year ago that band leader and songwriter, Tim Rose, announced that BEWILDERBEEST would in fact be the act's last hurrah, since he had decided to concentrate on his 'day-job' career in Eastern Europe and the Mid-East. Thankfully, this final chapter retains most of the same sort of clever wordings and inventive hook-play that lifted their last two releases, MINDFLIP and FIZZY LIFT, to such great heights. While golden-throated vocalist Doug Bobenhouse sounds as good as ever here, and then some. But not content to repeat themselves the act adds a couple of new wrinkles as well. The first being the wonderful 3 song tandem 'In The Kyiv Sea', 'Me Myself & Eye' and 'Shiny Objects' (the first and third being short instrumentals). This trio imparts Russian Gypsy folk flair, with no sign of traditional Western instruments in sight to ground the proceedings, while still retaining the group's sound and perfect pop structure. Then we are introduced to the 2nd new wrinkle, 'Song No.11', which is written and sung by the group's newest member Ken Kase. And though the songs instrumentation and vibe sounds WAY out of place here, you can tell why the song was included, since it's absolutely tremendous! And will certainly have many pop fans begging for a solo record by Kase as soon as possible. In the end, this may not be the band's best batch of overall tunes on record,but BEWILDERBEEST still packs a mighty whallop, while closing and locking this last door of the Sun Sawed In 1/2's fine career with an authoritative slam. Hopefully they won't entirely throw away the key.
M.J.O'BRIEN (7.5)
[Fresh Ears Review]
Featuring Tim Rose on guitar, Doug Bobenhouse on vocals, guitar, and keyboards, Ken Rose on bass and backing vocals, and Ken Kase on guitar, bass, and piano. BEWILDERBEEST is an amusingly titled pop masterpiece that is highly recommended by this writer. Frankly, I was hooked from the opening chords of the first track 'Kiss Her Like You Mean It', which follow a sample saying "The songs you will now hear can confuse even the experienced listener." With its big, horn-accented chorus ('kiss her like you mean it/be sure that she feels it'), the track starts things off on a high note. 'The Beholder And His Eye', the second song is equally strong, from the jangly opening notes to the wistful chorus, (' If you don't believe that you're something beautiful/well for God's sakes girl, you know, you're quite off/ just take it from the beholder and his eye'). All the songs - with the exception of a few short instrumentals that I didn't especially enjoy - mine the same hooky pop vein, featuring plaintive lead vocals, nice backing harmonies and crisp guitars accented with the occasional horn section or Hammond organ solo. The lyrics concern standard power pop themes of love and loss, but main lyricist Rose keeps them interesting as on this couplet from 'Shining Knight' ('what are you waiting for, some kind of shining knight?/'cause if you squint your eyes, maybe I look alright'). Standout tracks include 'Kiss Her Like You Mean It', 'The Beholder And His Eye', 'Me,Myself and Eye' and 'Painting'.
DAVE HOFFMAN (8)