Release Date: 1978
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: As mentioned earlier, I’m pretty smitten with Big Star’s catchy, influental ’70s guitar pop. But, I’ve never touched their third (and last) “experimental” album that barely got released. Seems weird to review these in reverse order, but here we go….Oh man, from the first few notes on “Kizza Me” this album makes me anxious. With Chris Bell long gone, this is Alex Chilton’s show and he’s not in a good frame of mind as the band and his label dissolve around him. The riffs and grooves are still there, but there is something a little strung-out about the sound. At first listen, “Thank You Friends” sounds like a great, almost celebratory, rave up, but coming in as the second song on the album, it ends up coming across as sarcastic. This cynicsm also infects otherwise up-beat sounding cuts like “Jesus Christ,” and “Till The End of The Day.” Poor Alex sounds like he’s falling apart. No wonder they didn’t release this album until years later. One minute a big classic Big Star guitar riff will come in, then the song will take a turn into something more experimental to keep the listener off balance. Wow, “Holocaust” ends with the devastating line “You’re a holocaust.” Then the grinding “Kangaroo” comes in and compounds the turmoil. Spare, echo-y production along with occasional strings and piano give these songs like “For You” and “Nighttime” some extra emotional punch and some tracks (“Dream Lover”) barely seem to hold together as songs. Still, this fractured collection of gems won me over and had me wanting to give Chilton a hug, buy him a beer and say “I feel for you, man.” I could see how this album was used for fuel for introverted mix tapes and inspired innumerable college bands in the ’80s and ’90s.

Starred Songs: “Thank You Friends,” “Holocaust,” “Nighttime”
Sneaky Track: “For You,” “Big Black Car”
Should this album be on the list? Yes
Will you listen to this again? Yes. Although, not when I want a pick-me-up.

Verdict: Beautiful, cracked ’70s guitar-pop tunes from a band on its last legs that degrade gracefully and provide for a rewarding if difficult listen.
Rating:  ★★★★