Albums by this artist

At Sixes And Sevens (2002)

Jason Loewenstein

At Sixes And Sevens

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» PIERO SCARUFFI | STAFF WRITER

Jason Loewenstein At Sixes And Sevens Sub Pop, 2002 RiYL: Sebadoh, Pavement, Velvet Underground

The notion that Jason Loewenstein was writing the best material on Sebadoh's albums is confirmed by At Sixes And Sevens, his solo debut. "Codes" is not only virulent, driving, boogie-ing power-pop, but boasts killer tempo shifts and dissonant riffing too (imagine the Velvet Underground's "White Light" played at double speed). "Casserole" sounds like Sonic Youth covering an obscure '60s pop gem. Continuing the descent into odd pop composition, "Angles" is openly dischordant and syncopated, but also jingle-jangling and galloping.

The fast pace of the beginning is abandoned for the spacier, psychedelic "Circles", but is still hiding behind the sinister lament of "I'm A Shit," driven by voodoo-deep dancing bass. It also lurks in the evocative, dreamy guitars, intellectual hiccups, and abrasive whipping of "NYC III." Loewenstein's prowess at his instrument was not so obvious in Sebadoh. On "Crazy Santana" (a wild and frantic tribute of sorts to the Latin star) and "H/M" (a thundering speed-metal overture), the guitarist has an opportunity to finally show off his dexterity.

Lyrically, whatever angst is concealed or displayed in the first half of the album overflows during the introverted and relatively subdued coda represented by the last few songs ("Funerals," "More Drugs," "Mistake"), which sound like they're being sung in a painful trance. Closing track "Transform" redeems the mood by linking back to the epileptic pace found at the outset.

There is little in this collection that is either predictable or deja vu. Thanks to fresh melodies, a surprisingly effective voice, ever powerful rhythms, and burning guitar/bass workouts, Jason Loewenstein has coined a voice of his own.

PIERO SCARUFFI | Piero Scaruffi runs the exhaustive music database Scaruffi.com. A native of Italy, he has also been praised for his work on the General Theory of Relativity, formal theories of the mind, and artificial intelligence. And no, we aren't making that up.