Bad Wiring

By naming his band the Voltage this time around, Jeffrey Lewis makes it clear as day that hes more interested in cranking up the amps than he was before. While his lyrics remain wry, witty, and complex, the music sounds much closer to fizzy post-punk and indie pop than the scraggly anti-folk he was known for around the turn of the millennium. His subject matter is headier and more existentialist than ever, with much of the album addressing the confusion and hopelessness of growing older and living in a corrupt society that feels like its heading closer to destruction. He pokes fun at himself on My Girlfriend Doesnt Worry, wherein he lists dozens of the restless thoughts running through his head that he doesnt bring up with his girlfriend because he doesnt want to bum her out. Other highlights like Exactly What Nobody Wanted and Except for the Fact That It Isnt are extremely gleeful expressions of sheer pointlessness, with packed-in, mile-a-minute verses wedded to pogo-worthy hooks. Even the songs that seem lighter and more fun have a sort of bittersweet undercurrent. LPs is a joyous recollection about growing up in the 90s and buying every classic rock record he could find because they were dirt cheap, but he mentions being alone in his obsession, as his friends didnt share his passion for cratedigging. (And of course the days of inexpensive vinyl are over, so he mainly buys used CDs.) Dogs of My Neighborhood is a rollicking tune about appreciating other peoples pets, but not actually being able to own one. Not that he really seems to mind not being responsible for taking care of one, mind you. Spacy final track Not Supposed to Be Wise is an epic whats the point? which would seem totally depressing if it wasnt so relatable. Lewis remains a top-notch songwriter, and even as life gets crazier, hes able to channel his attempts to process it all into thoughtful, enjoyable music. ~ Paul Simpson