dump: superpowerless

Morr Music reissues the legendary first album by the solo project of James McNew (Yo La Tengo) from 1993. "Some people complain that friends today are made with mouse-clicks. As if it was more personal in the '90s. James McNew, for example, became a good friend of mine in 1994. Never mind I hadn't even talked to the guy -- hell, he covered Jandek AND Silver Apples. We had so much in common! James McNew is a fan boy. If the name-drop list ranging from Albert Ayler to Young Marble Giants included with his first 45 didn't tell you that, the blazing in his eyes when a name like The Shaggs was uttered, certainly did. Yet McNew is not obsessed with obscurity but with music. When his debut album Superpowerless appeared in 1993, the choice of covers ranged from Sun Ra to that tune Audrey Hepburn serenaded to millions of movie watchers, "Moon River." While McNew's high, sexy voice might be "superpowerless," his ears certainly are not. It's been the intimate sound of a 4-track recorder that tied these different angles of his eclectic taste together. Yes, Dump was part of the lo-fi generation. Nothing makes that clearer than the bonus tracks on his follow-up album I Can Hear Music. Recorded during the infamous Dutch Fast Forward Festival in 1994 in -- naturally -- a living room, it contains all that was great about the few short moons of tape-hiss: collaborations triggered not even remotely by virtuosity (had Chris Knox ever played trumpet before that afternoon?); cardboard boxes as bass-drums; the victory of enthusiasm over perfection (have Half-Japanese been covered with more empathy?). The only thing that wasn't quite right about these first two Dump albums, was the format. But as justice doesn't know age, it's good to see these CDs finally being pressed on vinyl! They deserve it. After all, James is a friend. Did I mention he's playing bass in Yo La Tengo?" --Gregor Kessler, Hamburg, December 2012; Remastered by Bob Weston (Shellac, Mission Of Burma). Contains bonus material.

Dump: Superpowerless by morrmusic