Best Side-A of an LP from 2011
Centro-matic “Candidate Waltz”

Will Johnson & Co. rarely disappoint; their only crime historically might be overloading listeners with too many great songs too often. It’s a bummer, but fifteen years on from the debut Centro-matic release, even a serious fan might shrug off a new album or miss it all together. My advise to you, long-time fan or newcomer to Will’s tunes: Do not sleep on “Candidate Waltz”.

That said, if you’re down to precious little space on your hard drive or if your record stack is tipping over from the weight of the unlistened, I can lighten your load. Really, you can get away with just Side-A of this newest LP. It’s a front-loaded affair. Five songs, all top notch in the familiar & well-practiced Centro-matic tradition, but showing a nice dose of growth & sonic adventure, too:

  • Against The Line
  • All The Talkers
  • Iso-Residue
  • Estimate x3
  • Only In My Double Mind

That said, if five songs are still just too many to add to your list, please make sure you don’t miss “Estimate x3”. If you can’t find time for the full three-and-a-half minutes, at least spin the final minute-and-a-half of this understated little tune. The deceptively simple but insanely catchy couplet repeated & repeated & repeated backed by hand claps & classic Centro-matic background vocals definitely ranks in the top ten ‘parts’ from Will’s entire career.

Estimate x3 by Centro-matic

(more of The Best Shit List 2011)

2 Notes/ Hide

  1. marathonpacks said: I agree, but hasten to add that my favorite jam and the “catchiest” jam on the record, entitled “Solid States,” leads off Side B.
  2. decorp posted this