Rob Crow - He Thinks He's People

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Customer reviews
Press release

5...according to our Mike on Fri 14 Oct, 2011.

Rob Crow's been in so many iconic bands even he must find it hard to keep track sometimes...Pinback, Three Mile Pilot, Heavy Vegetable, Goblin Cock, The Ladies - he's a prolific guy alright. Every now and then he squeezes out a solo record, too. His previous one, Living Well, was a deeply affecting, concise and personal record that further emphasised this man's mercurial genius, and this new LP is easily its equal. Fans of Pinback especially will be excited by this, since it relies on similar trademarks to that band, with Crow's distinctive steady but soulful voice backed by his trademark fruity, boomy, almost piano-like bass tone (along with guitar and keys and drums when they're needed). The arrangements and pacing tend to fall in similar territory to the last couple of Pinback albums too, but he's taken the opportunity that solo albums provide to branch out into a more diverse sound, and also to put together a few songs that are more intimate and personal than his bands'. When he kicks up the rock levels, like on 'Build', there's a real soupy momentum created by a non-stop hi-hat spatter that's really effective, while at other moments like 'Pat's Cabs' and 'Purpose' the sound is stripped back to just Crow and an acoustic guitar. Meanwhile thumping dancefloor filler 'Locking Seth Putnam in Hot Topic' is literally two of the best minutes of music you're ever likely to hear from this genius. I don't know what else to say about it but that. If you're getting impatient for a new Pinback record this should scratch that itch until it shows up, and If you're not familiar with this guy's bands this record is as good a place to start as any.

It's been a little more than four years since the release of Living Well, Rob Crow's breakthrough sophomore solo album that harnessed his many eclectic creative impulses into a half-hour's worth of concise, compelling folk-pop. In that time the Pinback co-founder has worked diligently on the long-awaited follow-up to Autumn of the Seraphs, welcomed two more children to his ever-expanding family, and incredibly found the time to write and record He Thinks He's People. More dynamic and eclectic than its predecessor, He Thinks He's People marries Crow's penchant for drawing inspiration from a variety of genres with an uncanny ability to create a subtle, relaxing mood throughout. This is likely attributed to his remarkable voice, a trademark that has helped make Pinback an institution for the past decade. The ease and sincerity with which he delivers lines as wrought as "Sometimes, just hope is the trap" – or playfully revels in the morbid demise of people who talk on their cell phones during movies – is what make Crow truly one-of-a-kind, and a shining light who continues to thrive on the outer edges of pop music. “Imagine a math-rock XTC fronted by Elliott Smith, illuminating the quiet corners of life.” – Mojo // “Perfect melodic indie rock.” – Under The Radar // “It sounds more like a continuation of Pinback's 2004 high-water mark, Summer In Abaddon. This is, of course, a good thing. Crow sounds better than ever.” – Billboard // “Recalls not only the versatility of Prince, but the lush, dreamy vision of a group like XTC.” – Giant Robot //

Tracks:

1. Sophistructure (2:45)

2. Scalped (3:21)

3. This Thread (2:57)

4. Tranked (3:26)

5. Prepare To Be Mined (3:12)

6. Build (1:23)

7. Pat’s Crabs (1:05)

8. So Way (2:57)

9. Locking Seth Putnam In A Hot Topic (2:38)

10. Purpose (2:32)

11. I’d Like To Be There (2:10)