Smog: Dongs Of Sevotion

For most of the '90s, Bill Callahan (a.k.a. Smog) was revered as the moody king of the home-recording ring. His last few releases, however, have revealed a newfound affinity for high fidelity, a change in approach that has shed new light on a frequently remarkable songwriter. Granted, Callahan is hardly an original: His songs remain fully rooted in the music of Lou Reed, with healthy doses of Leonard Cohen and Tindersticks thrown in for effect. But last year's Knock Knock, heavily orchestrated by producer Jim O'Rourke, made it sound as if Callahan was finally having fun feeling miserable, a feat neither Reed nor Cohen has yet to master. The new Dongs Of Sevotion—the title an obvious sign that Callahan doesn't take himself all that seriously—is just as good. Recording with a small band that includes John McEntire (Tortoise, The Sea And Cake) on drums, Jeff Parker (Tortoise, Isotope 217) on guitar, and Matt Lux (Isotope 217) on bass, Callahan has created a surprisingly accessible and enjoyable pastiche of what makes him tick. "Dress Sexy At My Funeral" is a straight-up VU rip full of deft and dark lyrical touches, a stark contrast with "Bloodflow," which hints at Fela Kuti's Afrobeat without sounding silly. "Permanent Smile" somehow replicates Phil Spector's Wall Of Sound with only spare instrumentation, while "Justice Aversion" benefits from its subtle synth-pop pulse. It's a predictably gloomy affair from an artist who more than does that adjective justice. Now that the sonic cobwebs are gone, Callahan's bad-mood music is coming across stronger than ever.