Warren Zevon
Life'll Kill Ya (Artemis)
Unlike plenty of songsters, Zevon's a writer first and
foremost, and the best of his skewed little pulp fictions feature some of the best wordplay in
pop. But after immersing myself in his two-disc career retrospective late last year, I'm
convinced that what keeps him from the realm of the rock and roll immortals is his music - he
rocks more than he rolls and, when he's not backed by players who can induce him into a groove,
even a great bunch of lyrics can't keep the proceedings from getting slightly mired in the mud.
Case in point is his latest outing, a typically fine collection distinguished by a terrific
lyric sheet, unusually expressive vocals and a spare little backing group that can't quite
generate the sparks that separate great Zevon from the good. That said, "I Was in the
House When the House Burned Down," "Ourselves to Know," and - no
surprise - "My Shit's Fucked Up" could hold their own on a best-of, and most of the
rest have their moments. Overall, I'm glad to own it, but I'm a fan.
If you're not, familiarize yourself with the man elsewhere. Rating: 7
- Rob Brookman
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