Joe Pug: Apparently not reading enough Steinbeck
Joe Pug, who performs at the Canopy Club tonight, has one of those bios that music writers dream about. He dropped out of his senior year at the University of North Carolina to follow his muse. After landing in Chicago, he spread his music by sending out a demo CD to anyone who asked. According to his website, he has now sent out over 15,000 CDs to fans around the world. And to top it all off, each demo contains a personalized note from Pug himself.
As nice of a story as that is, it's not really relevant to the quality of the music. I know music is easier to come by now, but who wouldn't take a free CD? After releasing a well-regarded EP (Nation of Heat), Pug is finally asking his fans to pay full-price with his debut album Messenger.
So does he deliver an album worthy of the hype? Well, Messenger offers few surprises to those familiar with Pug's work (or familiar with the dour singer/songwriter genre), but that's hardly the point. It's heavy on the folk, slight-rock balladeer style that is easy to attempt, but difficult to perfect. And mostly, Pug has done an excellent job on the music. He manages to wring a lot of emotion out of his guitar and harmonica. And the backing musicians lend the songs a depth that expands on Pug's established sound without diminishing the intimacy. As an example, the banjo and backing vocals on "The Door Was Always Open" provide the song an added kick that only enhances the original melody.
But we're not talking about Battles here; this isn't music where the words are an afterthought. Mostly, they're kind of the point. And mostly they miss. On "How Good are You" Pug sings the cringe worthy, "I was born into a circus, but I ran off to join a home." On the song "Disguised as Someone Else", Pug sees fit to compare an ex-lover's cold shoulder to the penal system. "Even hardened criminals, they get a second chance/ I wish that I could work for you with someone else's hands." And on "Not So Sure," there's the completely unnecessary, "I bought expensive cigarettes/ I read John Steinbeck's books/ I undressed somebody's daughter, then complained about her looks." While these may have offered fun wordplay when Pug was writing, they don't often convey much of anything within the songs. Only the title track and anti-war balled "Bury Me Far (From My Uniform)" feel like full narratives.
As this is Pug's first album, I'm willing to give him a break. His singing often makes the words seem heartfelt, if not fully formed. And with the rave reviews of his live shows, there's probably no need to spend too much time worrying tonight about small details like what he's actually saying.
Joe Pug performs tonight at the Canopy Club with Hathaways and Chicago Farmer (7 p.m., $10 advance)
9 comments
Jon
I’m pretty sure that it’s “I wrote John Steinbeck’s books,” which, to me, is a much more affecting lyric than you’re giving him credit for here. I’m really looking forward to the show tonight and, like the readers of Steinbeck the world over, am charmed by Pug as a lyricist.
Lyrics aside, I saw Pug and chatted with him briefly last night in Iowa City when he opened for Justin Townes Earle. He’s an amazing performer who really brings his audience in. Excited to see him 2 nights in a row!
Should I have been surprised that he sold out the Canopy Club last night? This procrastinator figured that tickets at the door would be no problem at all. Oops.
John, you’re famous! http://www.muzzleofbees.com/2010/02/25/review-joe-pug-canopy-club-urbana/
Thanks for the heads up Ben. And to respond to the first comment, here’s the text of a comment I left over there as well:
I admit to misquoting the lyrics, but certainly don’t think my misquotes did any harm or changed the general sappiness. If anything, the lyrics make much more sense as I have them. Obviously, this is all open to interpretation (that’s what makes it fun), but what the hell does “I wrote John Steinbeck’s books” mean? (And I really hope the answer isn’t that he quoted lines from The Pearl to impress women.)
Considering my name, I obviously have a soft spot for Mr. Steinbeck, so I think writers better have their shit together when they namecheck him.
Timbo: I don’t think anyone realized that the show was going to be in the front (Void) room, which meant a much more limited ticket situation. That was the artist’s choice, though, not the Canopy’s.
Jon
Word, SP folks. Here’s my reply. Hope to run into you sometime, John.
++
Touché, John. Glad you’re cool with a little back and forth. To be fair, during a different song (”Speak Plainly, Diana”) Joe sings the phrase “I don’t mind riding around” over and over. My buddy leaned over and said something like “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a line more ambivalent sung with such conviction” — it’s not just a little reminiscent of a certain Gin Blossoms song. You know, the one where the “cops chase us around.” That’s where I would have spent my critical energy. http://www.muzzleofbees.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif
Oh yes, I know that song. I wouldn’t have felt good about making pronouncements about the whole album without listening to the whole thing at least a couple of times. With the risk of sounding pretentious, I thought that song was like shooting fish in a barrel. But like everything, it’s all about personal taste. Some of my favorite lyrics of all time are “gonna walk around and drink some more” repeated over and over again.
Nan
Just skimmed the other comments, so maybe someone already mentioned this: the lyrics for “Not So Sure” are “I bummed expensive cigarettes/ I wrote John Steinbeck’s books,” which seems to me a (maybe it is, maybe not) relevant reference to the Chicago folk scene.
Also, as a generally lyric-focused musician and music-listener, I’d have to politely disagree with you and say I think Pug’s songs are pretty solid overall. A lot of folk traditions (old Native American ballads and Blues, for example) tell stories that don’t quite work as full narratives. But it’s not novel-writing, and it’s worked successfully for songsters and song-writers over the last century. Meaning seems to be non-linear and, for the point of this comment, subjective.
So, ya know, thanks for writing. ‘s all I got.
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Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/