Smog - A River Ain't Too Much To Love (Drag City)

The summer recap idea is good: it’s going to show us a plethora of good reviews. The bad records are tossed aside; they aren’t memorable. You don’t associate a shit album with any big event in your life because you wouldn’t be listening to it. “A River Ain’t Too Much To Love” is, to me, a late night in May, after having just moved back in to my mom’s house, unsure of what life is going to do to me next. “Rock Bottom Riser” exemplifies that moment, perfectly. “I’m New Here”, however, brings me back to a Smog in-store where a couple agreed, upon hearing the CD, that Callahan sounded like “a serial killer singing to his prey before he murders them”. Doubtful that they’ll remember saying that, but, given the album, I will.

- Kevin Ferguson