Search - Jon Auer :: Perfect Size

Great EP

Gizmola | Los Angeles, CA USA | 08/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, if you're a Posies fan, then that's why you're reading this probably. Jon is of course 1/2 of the singer/songwriter duo that was/is/was/is The Posies.The band released a number of treasured classic albums (Frosting on the beater being the consensus sales and fanbase favorite), yet continue to labor in relative commercial obscurity. The Posies tale involves the release of 5 albums from 1988-98, being a well known fixture in the Seattle music scene which produced the "seattle sound/grunge" phenomenon associated with Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Soundgarden. As so often happens, The Posies weren't really coming from the same place as the grunge bands were, and when a tidal wave like grunge sweeps into an industry, those who aren't part of the wave are often left adrift. Considering the fate of BigStar, the most famous band that never made it, yet launched a million careers, I suspect the Posies may yet have a similar resonance as time goes on. Consider this... Geffen (who ultimately was highly culpable for ruining their commercial chances, failing to promote them when similar genre acts, Matthew Sweet for example, found far greater notoriety) see fit to release a greatest hits album in 2000. I guess someone is buying Posie's music. At one point, they announced they were calling it quits, then seemingly from nowhere, went on a two man acoustic tour that led to a wonderful live acoustic album, them playing numerous gigs as the Posies throughout Europe and the US, various side ventures (Saltine), playing with R.E.M. and BigStar (w/ their hero Alex Chilton of course) and in general casting a shadow over the alternative/power pop genre that far exceeds the majority of acts one might also consider in the same vein.One is not sure whether to laugh or cry when considering that Jon Auer is relegated to release import EP's of his material when it's clearly equal to and often better in quality to so much of the dredge that fills the commercial airwaves, with nary a chance in the world that anyone but already devoted fans will hear it. If for some reason you've chanced upon this review, and are looking for some hook to hang your expectations on, think of vintage classic Cheap Trick, with a healthy dose of irony thrown in. The title track for example contains a hummable verse that repeats the phrase "Goddamn you baby!" in a way that is equal parts, tongue in cheek, profane, cotton candy sweet, and not in the least bit gratuitous within the context of the song's point of view. Jon, who's previous EP was entirely covers, includes one cover here: The Guided By The Voices 'Gold Star For Robot Boy', for those making note of such things. The best commercial comparison I can make would be that the album reminded me quite a bit of the excellent 1999 Foo Fighters record "There Is Nothing Left To Lose." If you're a Posies fan, then by all means pick this up. The songs contained within are of the quality and consistency of the rest of the Posies catalog, while being a bit different at the same time. Despite the indie-garage label trappings, it's a very polished and mature recording."