The Minus 5 - The Minus 5 [the gun album]

This album marks the seventh from Scott McCaughey's The Minus 5. The record was released Feb. 7th on Yep Roc Records and features appearances from the guys from Wilco, The Decemberists' Colin Meloy, The Long Winter's Sean Nelson, members of Ministry and the Posies, and frequent collaborator Peter Buck of R.E.M (who appears to handle much of the guitar work). The record runs the gamut of rock 'n roll styles, from garage rock ("Aw Shit Man") to alt-country ("With a Gun") to baroque singer-songwriter territory ("Cemetery Row W14"). Even upon a cursory listen, you get the distinct impression that McCaughey is rock classicist and is very well-versed in his chosen discipline.

As I just bought the album yesterday, I am unable to offer much more insight into the record at this point. But, as far as I can tell, Stephen Haag of PopMatters was able to sum up the record nicely: "Nobody else quite sounds like the Minus 5, and certainly nobody celebrates defeatism and life as a fuck-up with more energy and humor than Scott McCaughey."

Read what the critics have said about the album here.

The Minus 5 Tour Dates:

02/23/2006 Belly Up Tavern w/ Robyn Hitchcock - FM 94/9 Presents! San Diego, CA
02/24/2006 Coach House w/ Robyn Hitchcock - KCRW Presents! San Juan Capistrano, CA
02/25/2006 Key Club w/ Robyn Hitchcock - KCRW Presents! Los Angeles, CA
02/27/2006 Slim's w/ Robyn Hitchcock San Francisco, CA
03/02/2006 Sam Bond's w/ Robyn Hitchcock Eugene, OR
03/03/2006 Doug Fir Lounge w/ Robyn Hitchcock Portland, OR
03/04/2006 Crocodile Cafe w/ Robyn Hitchcock Seattle, WA
03/16/2006 Continental Club SxSW 2006 Showcase - w/ The Moaners, Ian Moore, Tres Chicas, Chatham County Line, Jake Brennan & The Confidence Men! Austin, TX
03/16/2006 Threadgill's WHQ Roky Erickson Ice Cream Social! Austin, TX
03/17/2006 The Parish New Orleans, LA
03/18/2006 Hi-Tone w/ The Silos Memphis, TN
03/19/2006 Mercy Lounge w/ The Silos Nashville, TN
03/21/2006 400 Bar w/ The Silos Minneapolis, MN
03/22/2006 The Abbey w/ The Silos Chicago, IL
03/23/2006 Beachland Ballroom w/ The Silos Cleveland, OH
03/24/2006 Club Cafe w/ The Silos Pittsburgh, PA
03/25/2006 The Iota Club and Cafe w/ The Silos Arlington, VA
03/26/2006 Southpaw w/ Richard Buckner Brooklyn, NY
03/28/2006 Mercury Lounge w/ The Silos New York, NY
03/29/2006 World Cafe Live w/ The Silos Philadelphia, PA
03/30/2006 Pour House Music Hallw/ The Silos Raleigh, NC
03/31/2006 Smith's Olde Bar w/ The Silos Atlanta, GA
04/01/2006 Georgia Theatre w/ Elf Power, The Silos Athens, GA


Tunes:

The Minus 5 - "Rifle Called Goodbye"

The Minus 5 - "With a Gun" (feat. Wilco)

The Minus 5 - "Cememetry Row W14" (feat. Colin Meloy)

The Minus 5 - "Twilight Distillery" (right click, "save as")


Buy the album here.


Posted by: Matt