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This new record of his comes off sounding like a greatest hits album - except all the songs are new. He revisits many styles across his career. The best part of the LP presentation is the full size, multiple insert with lyrics and photos.
Sonically, however, I felt the album sounds like its on the wrong side of the loudness wars -- suffering from muddy compression and no dynamics. Some songs are produced to sound deliberately lowfi with imitation vinyl surface noise added for retro effect on one track. In fact, it's the sound of chicken sizzling on a BBQ grill that they recorded to double as surface noise (from his promo interview on Fresh Air). I wish he'd return to his Mule Variations period with regard to sonic production quality.
Although, unlike many musicians I listen to, I'll take some new Tom anyway I can.
In the end, My 2 cents on this one... I agree with performance score, but would of given sonics only 2 stars :(
Happy new year