JASON LOEWENSTEIN >> AT SIXES AND SEVENS. SUB POP 2002

A godfather of the modern post-punk scene, Jason Loewenstein earned his stripes as one of the founding members of the hugely popular Sebadoh, giving the band a punkier edge that made them indie-rock icons. With his first solo release, At Sixes and Sevens, he shines as an extremely talented songwriter and musician, as he alone played every instrument and sang every lyric, on top of engineering and producing the album.

The songs here are delivered with a grungy intensity, and Loewenstein lets his moody vocals guide him through an ultra-smooth performance. Some of the more rocking songs sound similar to Mudhoney, The Meat Puppets, and early Sonic Youth. The remaining tracks are more articulately written and played in the vein of the great Paul Westerberg of The Replacements. “Casserole,” one of the more poppy songs on the album, may be his first shot at a hit single, as its fast-paced tempo and catchy hooks are immediately college radio-friendly. Much of the album tends to be melancholy and painful, but Loewenstein pulls it off with progressive riffs and his trademark voice. This album could have easily been released under the guise of the early-‘90s “Grunge Era” and been an instant smash. But ten years later, it’s cool to see that Jason Loewenstein isn’t succumbing to current trends while developing his musical talents thoroughly.

The album cover art of At Sixes and Sevens features a tornado ripping across a highway. It was designed by Loewenstein himself, which may be an indication about his desire to continue to play his music with that same ferocity and recklessness that earned Sebadoh its rock-solid reputation. -By Pete Viele