Most people here in Greensboro, NC probably couldn't care less about our should be hometown hero, Eugene Chadbourne, if they even know who he is. This includes "indie"-"rockers," "punks," "artists," etc. But in a way it's got to be nice to tour and be known all over the world and be left alone in your hometown, I guess.
This record sounds like Greensboro to me. Seems like you've got to get weird or give in before you go crazy(er), and most of them are drunk singing like a flat Willie Nelson. What am I talking about?
With Eugene's music, like any experimental art-form, you have to accept the flaws before you can truly appreciate it as a whole. The review of this album on all music is a good example. It does make a difference, probably, being familiar with the places mentioned in "Perverts On Northridge," and if that reviewer knew that street, the song would make a lot more sense, that it's more about frustration than humor, and just creative personal expression. It's a great song regardless.
To me a lot of the originals (every weirdo pot-head is bound to enjoy "Choppin' Down Weeds") especially those that deal with Greensboro, or NC are just venting frustration in a less aggressive way, rather than trying to be an album of "funny" songs (even though they are). People always seem to take everything too seriously to notice a different sense of humor. God forbid these "liberals" open their minds to different ways of thinking...
The opening medley (Always On My Mind/Whiter Shade Of Pale/San Francisco Nights/Ain't Misbehavin'/Imagine/TV Party/Misty/Dang Me/England Swings/I Started A Joke/To Sir With Love/Some Guys Have All The Luck/Waltz Across Texas/The Shah Sleeps In Lee Harvey's Grave) is a weird start, and kind of makes it take longer for the album to unfold, but I like this. I must say that I'm not a big fan of Buffy St. Marie or Phil Ochs, but I'd rather listen to Eugene's versions any day of the week. However, there are great Merle Haggard and Ernest Tubb covers.
I'll just shut up now...let's get weird and humorously serious, southern style...Greensboro style.
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