Sunday, July 13, 2008
A+E, Music, Reviews

ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO

“REAL ANIMAL” (MANHATTAN/BACK PORCH)

If an artist could turn critical accolades into cash, this Texas singer-songwriter would be retired by now. Alejandro Escovedo has never released a dud through an amazing run of solo albums beginning in 1992. Along with earlier work for the True Believers, Rank & File and the Nuns, he’s amassed a stellar and diverse resume any musician would envy.

Escovedo typically surrounds himself with an eclectic bunch of talented musicians and producers who help push his envelope. This time it’s Chuck Prophet (ex-Green on Red) as co-songwriter and legendary producer Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T. Rex), both of whom boast musical accomplishments that rival Escovedo’s own.

Rebounding from the Hepatitis C that nearly derailed him in 2002, the singer sounds revived and ready to rock as he kicks into a song cycle that examines his life up to this point. Over generally rollicking tempos, Escovedo sings with subtlety and passion as he reflects on the events of his extensive career. But don’t worry about following the story, since the tunes stand on their own.

   Long time cellist Brian Standefer brings a classical weirdness to the proceedings, and his contributions (think ELO but way cooler), along with Visconti’s glam influences, help make this set distinctive. Escovedo hasn’t rocked this hard since his Buick MacKane days, and when everything gels on the white-knuckled “Smoke,” it’s clear that the eclectic mix of personalities has yielded a combustible concoction as tough, tuneful and emotionally driven as anything in his already impressive catalog. 3.5 STARS—Hal Horowitz