Jay Bennett
Bigger Than Blue
»
Jay Bennett
Bigger Than Blue
Undertow Records, 2004
RiYL: Wilco, Jon Brion, Jack Logan |
Bennett, who was booted from the band after a falling out with singer/songwriter Jeff Tweedy, did not come across well in the movie. Although he is duly credited with helping Wilco evolve from just an Uncle Tupelo offshoot to the great American band it is today, his contributions somehow seemed minimized by his strange and sometimes incoherent behavior throughout the movie.
Instead of leaving viewers with the notion that Bennett's presence undoubtedly pushed Tweedy beyond writing simple pop country tunes like "Passenger Side" from Wilco's 1995 debut A.M., those who saw the movie can't help but wonder how Tweedy dealt with Jay's odd and dependent behavior for so long.
And that's too bad, because I've always believed that without Bennett in the fold, Wilco's 1996 opus Being There would've sounded a lot closer to A.M. than most people think. And his desire to push the envelope tapped a vein with Tweedy that made YHF the sonic masterpiece it is.
But his growing presence -- and neediness -- didn't mesh well with Tweedy's desire to be the focus of Wilco. Let's face it, Jeff Tweedy is Wilco, and Wilco is Jeff Tweedy. The notion that Wilco is a "band" went out the door along with Bennett, leaving Tweedy firmly in charge.
So where does that leave Bennett now? After issuing one album with Chicago songwriter Edward Burch in 2002 -- the same day YHF was released -- Bennett unveiled his first proper solo album, Bigger Than Blue (which also oddly coincides somewhat with Wilco's A Ghost Is Born).
Bigger Than Blue is certainly a stronger and more consistent effort than his recording with Burch, and it does demonstrate that Bennett may have himself been losing interest in the more experimental nature of Wilco/Tweedy's new offerings. That said, the album is not a complete success, as Bennett, who does possess a calming baritone, has not quite developed the lyrical chops that made his work with Tweedy so much more interesting.
He has nothing to be ashamed of musically on Bigger Than Blue, but the lyrics are at times laughable -- check "Cajun Angel" -- and make you wonder if he hasn't quite gotten over getting booted so unceremoniously from Wilco.
Things start out strong with the rolling "My Little Wicked One," but the listener can't help but think that this tune -- about a failed love relationship -- is one of many detailing his falling out with Tweedy. "It's not because of the fame / or the company name / we shared that too / Now I just want one more reason to deceive / and you've evened the score / but the odds are just more / that you never wanted to believe."
This theme seems even more evident in "Curiosity," probably the best song on the album. Mixing catchy acoustic guitars over a jumpy drum beat and a Wurlitzer reminiscent of "She's A Jar" from Wilco's Summerteeth, Bennett manages a hummable melody as he describes trying to "start a new life," but can't quite come to grips with the past.
"Curiosity explains my time with you the most / but I became invisible, and you gave up the ghost / I'm trying to regret it / but I must admit that it was fun / I hear you've found a new target / but you've already lost your gun," he sings. And later he's more blunt: "I've tried to forgive you / but it hasn't happened yet." Who knows. He could be simply describing an ex-girlfriend, but I can't be that naive here. Everyone knows being in a rock band is like a marriage, and this one ended bitterly, at least if you ask Bennett.
And he certainly doesn't help things by recording "Reasons For You To Love Me," which is a revamped version of the Wilco outtake "Cars Can't Escape." In all fairness, I find this version more enjoyable than the one found on the "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" DVD, but it only invites more comparisons to Wilco.
Bennett has moved on, and not every song seems to reference his past. The aforementioned "Cajun Angel" would actually be a great folk song if it didn't go on too long and contain cheesy lyrics comparing a woman's hair to "tree moss" and describing her teeth as being as white as "mother of pearl." Yeah, her teeth. I don't know about you, but I found that to be kind of weird.
Bigger Than Blue at least proves Bennett really wasn't a second fiddle in Wilco. He was crucial to that band's development, but he'll have to move farther beyond his past if he wants to grow into a singular artist.
RODEO ROB | An expert on all things "alt," Rob spends his days covering the energy industry and his nights covering the DC-area bars. Raise yer glass especially high to this man, for he has contributed to this site constantly since its creation four years ago.