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Beaver Nelson
Legends of the Super Heroes
Freedom Records
By Jud Block
 I
know there has to be a psychological term for this-- anticipation
avoidance, maybe? Hell, I'm not sure, but there are just certain
musicians who, no matter how much I may have liked their last
disc or discs, simply leave me hesitant to give their new offering
a listen. Beaver Nelson falls into this inexplicably unfortunate
category. It has nothing to do with his very vocal aversion to
the beer-label-and-city-limit-sign as art approach, which much
of Texas music has degenerated into, or his fresh-from-the-methadone-clinic
appearance; in fact, I applaud him for both. So, I guess it must
have more to do with a fear of disappointment. Beaver Nelson
has made it clear that he is consciously trying to distance himself
from the Kevin Fowlers and F.Cos of the state, which means he
is constantly attempting to write songs that have more than twelve
ounces of substance, and often those kinds of endeavors are nothing
more than the ideal setup for failure. But, then again, I'm a
pessimist-- half full, my ass. Whiskey or water, fill it to the
rim, or don't bother pouring it at all. Well, Beaver Nelson has
done that and then some on his new CD Legends of the Super
Heroes, and I should be ashamed for having ever doubted him.
Now, I must admit I was a little concerned when I opened the
jewel case to see a picture of Beaver, et al, wearing super-hero
t-shirts. I thought maybe this whole concept had been taken a
bit too far; after all, I wasn't too keen on the prospect of
hearing Beaver's take on the Batman theme - - that's what ska
is for. But, yet again, I needn't have worried because all concerns
were immediately assuaged with the first song, "Clean It
Up." Electric guitar hum leads to a drum intro, which then
gives way to Beaver's signature slightly off-kilter pop sound.
There has always been something indescribably appealing about
Beaver Nelson's music; for one, the man comes up with some incredible
melodies, and this song, which uses the metaphor of a party's
aftereffects to tell the story of what just may be an adulterous
relationship ending, will be one you'll find yourself singing
incessantly for hours after you've heard it. Consider this a
warning.
Thanks for coming, thanks for showing
Thanks for making the whole thing glowing
You lit the room; you brought it down
You built it back with toasts unbound
We said that smiles were just a must
I stomped the stopwatch into dust
Now, I'll have to clean it up by myself
Now, being the Mark Twain idolater that I am, I found that
"Baloney Bay" became an instant favorite. It's a whimsical
Tom Sawyer/Huck Finn-inspired adventure set to a laconic New
Orleans dixieland soundtrack. If you've never been fortunate
enough to see the Mississippi River wind its way past Hannibal,
Missouri, close your eyes when this song comes on and you'll
have some idea of the feeling it conjures.
We was sliding down a stream
On a raft or in a dream
I don't care
Birds was there
And I was home
There was a bottle in the sun
You and me we'd done split one
I don't care
One was there
The cork was thrown
"Government-Sanctioned Hayride" is both the most
country-sounding song on the disc and the most satiric. It's
a damn clever take on federal officiousness. Subtle and incisive,
a far cry from the alarmist hyperbole that's passing for political
commentary these days. And yes, Janeane, there is a difference.
Running a government-sanctioned hayride
Safety regulations tended
All the kiddies seated inside
Thank you sirs for your permission
Running a government-sanctioned hayride
Easier these days than fishing
All the charm is gone but no mind
Thank you sirs for your permission
Very simply put, Legends of the Super Heroes is eleven
more great songs to add to the already impressive Beaver Nelson
catalog. If you're tired of the same old "name a beer and
a city" bullshit that seems to be coming out faster than
a struggling actor from a closet, then pick up a copy of Beaver
Nelson's latest. It'll lift you up, up and away from the banal.
Yeah, I know . . .
What's that? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's just www.beavernelson.com, where you can get his
latest disc as well as find out about all things Beaver.
Contact Jud Block at jud-at-rockzilla.net
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