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Artist: Big Star
Album: Complete Third
Label: Omnivore
Release Date: 10/14/2016
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ALBUM REVIEWS
Big Star
Complete Third
Album Reviews | December 6th, 2016
Big Star holds an almost mythical status in
the world of underground rock. Beloved
for the songwriting brilliance of Alex
Chilton and Chris Bell, the group’s sound
was rooted in the jangly pop of the Beatles
and the Byrds, but would break new
ground and had a tremendous influence
on R.E.M., Wilco, the Replacements, the
Jayhawks and many others. Though they
never gained the radio play or recognition
they deserved, Big Star garnered a cult
status that has only grown with time.
Drew DeNicola’s 2012 documentary,
Nothing Can Hurt Me, brought their
underdog story to the masses via Netflix.
Now, Omnivore Recordings’ Big Star
Complete Third provides another piece of
the puzzle. With 69 tracks and 28
previously unheard session recordings, the
listener gets the total picture. Expertly
produced by Jim Dickinson, this collection
shines a light on the creative process by
including demos, roughs and final masters. Extensive liner notes illuminate the inner
workings of Chilton’s fraying mind during the making of the record, while fans like
Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate) and sometimes band member Ken Stringfellow (the
Posies) provide insight into Big Star’s lasting impact.
With vocal and acoustic guitar stylings that recall George Harrison, “Stroke It Noel” has
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a loose rhythmic swagger offset by a tight, classical string section. Apparently a
reference to Chilton’s drug of choice, “Downs” begins with steel drums, Stonesy guitar
twang, and plonking piano that is almost avant-garde. Chilton effectively captures all
of Nico’s vocal fragility on the Velvet Underground’s “Femme Fatale.” Again channeling
Harrison, “Thank You Friends” is a lovely pop tune augmented by female background
singers that takes a turn for the weird with warbling vocal trills towards the end after
which Chilton can be heard remarking, “I did something wrong.”
Throughout the album, there is a sense of things becoming increasingly unhinged. The
mood becomes even darker with the chronically depressing “Holocaust.” Chilton sings
“Your eyes are almost dead, can’t get out of bed, and you can’t sleep. You’re sitting
down to dress, and you’re a mess. You look in the mirror.”
The band picks up the pace with “Jesus Christ,” perhaps the best Christian Rock song
ever, though it’s hard to know Chilton’s true intent given his state of mind. Excessive
drink and drugs were beginning to take their toll. Of the tunes he says, “I don’t
remember much about writing any of them. I think the whole process was just kind of
automatic, free association. If you take enough bad drugs and drink enough, you’re
gonna be writing some pretty strange music.”
Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” receives a proto-punk treatment that
threatens to tear it apart at the seams. “Kangaroo” is a standout track that staggers
like a drunk about to fall face first. Of all this madness, writer Bud Scoppa recalls,
“Alex reacted to the commercial failure of the first two LPs by jettisoning much of what
had made them so beloved by those few who’d been exposed to their musical
alchemy.”
Chilton’s deliberate decision to incorporate controlled chaos into pop song structures
opened up new musical possibilities and paved the way for countless bands to come.
While at times a challenging listen, Complete Third further explains what made Big Star
so innovative and influential.
-Mike Cobb
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