Jim O'Rourke - Insignificance (2001)

It goes like this- Jim O'Rourke is a multi-instrumentalist from Chicago, IL, and has put out more music than he is probably aware of. Known for countless spots as producer for Wilco, The Red Krayola, Stereolab, Superchunk, etc, etc, etc. He has also served as a member of Sonic Youth, Illusion Of Safety, and the wonderful Gastr Del Sol.

This album, Insignificance, is part of a series of experiments in pop music released in 2001 on Drag City Records. The album is full of blissful and andventerous songwriting. Fans of Jim's more fucked up noise and loops in his early career may be turned off by its accesability and straight forward style, but it is truly a landmark recording in his career.

"Memory Lame" a song that begins with a drifting guitar riff blossoms into a beautifully layered and orchestrated song that recalls themes of heartbreak, and feelings of isolation in a crowded place. Jim sings: "These things I say, may seem to offend/But not half as much/as I’d like to intend/listening to you/reminds of a motors endless drone/and how the deaf are so damn lucky".

Along with his playful, and sometimes heartbreaking lyrics, he is backed by two percussionists who drive the band through several fuzzed out rock and roll jams, but also makes way for the beautiful and humble folk songs of Jim on other tracks.

Let's put it this way, if you are somebody who has gone through every Smog and Wilco album, but have yet to hear this- you have seriously missed out.

Download: FLAC
Download: 320 MP3's