18 illinoisentertainer. com october 2025
Continued from page 14 concert!” Maben’ s movie is often considered an ambitious yet compromised artifact of its time, but the influential music isolated here stands as evidence of Pink Floyd’ s strength as an improvisational live band, apart from their reputation as groundbreaking studio experimentalists.
8
– Jeff Elbel
THE MINUS 5 Oar On, Penelope!
( Yep Roc)
These fine famous friends return with the second terrific Minus 5 collection since 2019’ s Stroke Manor, the album chronicling Scott McCaughey’ s debilitating stroke suffered during a 2017 tour. It’ s worth celebrating that McCaughey has recovered so well with his senses of melody and whimsy at peak strength. Oar On, Penelope! surpasses 2023 ' s estimable Calling Cortez while radiating personality and joy, with a ragged college-rock sound that crackles with life. Principal players include McCaughey’ s Baseball Project bandmates Peter Buck( R. E. M.) and Linda Pitmon, along with the Bangles’ Debbi Peterson. Spark-throwing guitarist Kurt Bloch of Fastbacks and McCaughey ' s The Young
Fresh Fellows plays bristling, go-for-broke lead guitar throughout the album. The euphoric mod-pop“ Words & Birds” encourages all of us to fly and oar on.“ Try to survive, a little word gets out alive,” sings McCaughey. The band defies and rages against“ Death the Bludgeoner,” and throws some spirited protest into the cathartic mix. In unprecedentedly divisive times, McCaughey insists“ I Don’ t Want to Hate Anyone.” McCaughey ' s wordplay fills songs including the inscrutable but fascinating and harmony-laden " Bison Queen." Guitar drones through the background of“ Falling Like Jets,” which unspools like Dave Bowie’ s“ Heroes” played by a hyper-caffeinated garage rock band. The carnivalesque keyboards during the loopy“ Burgundy Suit” are reminiscent of the caustic pop-punk of Elvis Costello’ s“ Radio Radio.”“ Sharktooth” is a psychedelic glam anthem a la Mott the Hoople.“ We Shall Not be Released” closes the album on a resigned but still defiant note. " I will not be latered, embittered, or coerced," sings McCaughey. Veteran mixer Ed Stasium( Ramones, Smithereens, Replacements, Talking Heads, etc.) provides additional flourishes and a lively mix that sound great in the album ' s vinyl format.
The dozen compact and buzzing pop confections on Oar On, Penelope! represent the Minus 5 at its finest.
– Jeff Elbel
9