When Eef Barzelay released his first solo record, 2006’s Bitter Honey, it wasn’t really obvious what he was getting out of the experience. In many ways, it sounded pretty much like a Clem Snide record, which is to be expected since Barzelay was the band’s leader and sole songwriter. Bitter Honey might have been a little stripped-down, but “Ballad of Bitter Honey”, his narrative from the perspective of a dancing girl in a Ludacris video, had Clem Snide archness written all over it. Looking back at songs like “Ballad of Bitter Honey” in the context of his newest solo effort, Lose Big, however, it’s now obvious that Barzelay was beginning to explore characters and personas to say something serious and genuine in his songs.
Lose Big continues in that vein, and it’s a clear sign that Barzelay is faring quite well in his post-Clem Snide world. The record finds Barzelay stretching out, not only in terms of subject matter, but also in terms of arrangements and sound. - Popmatters
with:
Amateurs || Listen
Yellow Red Sparks
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8:30 pm / $8 adv; $10 day of show / 21+
