Tommy Stinson – Village Gorilla Head

Artist: Tommy Stinson

Title: Village Gorilla Head

Label: Sanctuary

Rating: 5/10

CORPORATE LINE: The best rock n’ roll, like any creative endeavor, comes from a blend of natural talent, determination, unconventional life experience and doing your homework. Tommy Stinson has a pretty generous measure of all four. Village Gorilla Head (Sanctuary Records) began its life five years ago in Tommy’s home studio, though some of the ideas and words had been kicking around for ten. Interestingly enough, he was simultaneously recording a new album with Guns N’ Roses, a group he had recently joined as bass guitarist. VGH grew in a fairly unplanned manner, anytime a worthy new song appeared, recording whenever inspired to do so. “I didn’t have any goals or direction in mind,” Tommy says, “I would just let the songs go where they wanted. I felt freer artistically than I ever have.” Since he had decided ahead of time to pay for the recording himself and think about labels later, there was no pressure on him to make a particular kind of record, just the self-imposed compulsion to come up with something substantial. Lo and behold, it’s a sensational album, easily Tommy’s best to date.

THE GREAT:
“Village Gorilla Head” – It’s a shame that Stinson doesn’t take direction for the title track–it shows a different, unique side that doesn’t come off on the rest of the record.
“Light Of Day” – Why wait until the eighth track to offer up the records best song? It’s too bad “Light Of Day” doesn’t save the album.

THE AVERAGE:
“Without A View” – Nice—if you like Morrissey.
“Not A Moment Too Soon” – Stinson has different dynamics—a little Dylan here a little Stinson there. The formula makes for a decent track but nothing you can’t forget.
“Ok” – It’s not okay to be vanilla when you want to rock the world.

THE BAD:
“Couldn’t Wait” – Tired and barely goes anywhere. Stinson doesn’t want to be predictable—and he is and isn’t—yet it doesn’t matter.

FRANKLY: If Stinson could continue where he started with tracks like “Village Gorilla Head” and “Light of Day” this record would be okay. Sadly, Stinson, a music legend, will get lost in a mix with a handful of artists who are still trying to do Dylan but never succeed. What makes it more inconceivable is who Stinson is… He led the Replacements after all!

+ Rae Gun