Oblivians

Desperation (In the Red)

The Oblivians’ catalog set the standard great garage-punk albums get measured against. From 1993-97, the lo-fi trio – Reigning Sound’s Greg Cartwright, Jack Yarber, and Goner Records founder Eric Friedl, each sharing duties on guitar and drums – cut three LPs of rabid R&B about guitar-shop assholes and Memphis creeps. Following a brief return in 2012, the band’s comeback, cut at Dan Auerbach’s Nashville studio, stumbles back into the fray like a high school dropout at a 20-year reunion. While not nearly as brash or baiting as 1996 essential Popular Favorites, Yarber’s junkyard boogie “Run for Cover,” greaser ballad “Little War Child,” and Friedl’s “Woke Up in a Police Car” at least live up to that title. Throw in a pair of scorching covers – the Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s “Loving Cup” and zydeco rap “Call the Police,” with organist Mr. Quintron – and a couple new Cartwright classics (“Em,” “Come a Little Closer”) and Desperation‘s well worth the inevitable hangover.

***

This article appears in September 6 • 2013.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US