Golden Smog releases new disc

Blood on the Slacks

After serving up a disc filled with new-wave sounds, low-key combo Golden Smog is back with a folksier effort that shuns the studio tricks for good, honest, catchy tunes. The group for years has consisted of Gary Louris and Marc Perlman of the Jayhawks, Kraig Jarret Johnson of Run Westy Run, Dan Murphy of Soul Asylum and Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. Tweedy isn't here this go-round, and the lack of noodling with production may result from his absence. Meantime, listeners can soak up the bouncy ...

Another Fine Day

This "super group" of Gary Louris, Jeff Tweedy and company are back with their first album of new material since 1998. And like fine wine, the outfit ages quite well with the mid-tempo Byrds-ian roots of "You Make It Easy" and the rather spacey, but effective rock of the title track. A few songs are a tad too poppy, especially the pretty Petty-like "5-22-02" and the radio-friendly, hi-octane of "Corvette" that brings to mind Matthew Sweet or Velvet Crush. ...

Weird Tales

With members from Wilco, Soul Asylum, The Jayhawks and others, Golden Smog could be considered a modern supergroup. And its latest release serves to further validate that. From the opening bars of the first track, "To Call My Own," the listener is immediately struck by the marked influence of The Byrds. Replete with rich multi-part harmonies and the ringing 12-string guitar work reminiscent of Roger McGuinn, the initial track comes as close to capturing The Byrds' sound as anyone else has since. ...