"Graceful Exit" is a perfect example. An extra chord is added to the opening riff to move things away from a straight 4/4 feel. Maybe not for everybody. Maybe even uncomfortably "proggy" for some. For me, it opens a door back into the era of more edgy rock from groups like Pere Ubu and Television.
The funk? Yes, it's on full display on tunes like "Smile," "The Horses Mouth," and "A.M." The latter song? You will turn this up. You will have no choice.
Of course, the singer/songwriter inner excursions are here as well. While they might be rendered as full band arrangements, "Arrogance," "Never Be Free," and "More Sad Than Strange" show Reifler's introspective side. I particularly like the ringing guitar arpeggios on "More Sad..." There's a little Chris Isaak in there, minus the Tiki torches.
"Wake Up Dead" is a raveup rocker that closes out the disc. Given the "sub-genres" present on this album, it's difficult to pin down where Reifler's true musical heart lies. Is that important? With music as interesting as this, I honestly don't care if that question is ever answered.
By the way, my replies to the "implied quiz" at the start of this article are: a) "Of course it means nothing...and everything". b) "I am not 50. Yet," and c) "I don't own any Pavement records."
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