Lou Barlow

It's too bad ol' Lou already used up the title Emoh on his debut solo album, as the 14 songs found on his sophomore release, Goodnight Unknown, convey the home recording sentiment much more clearly. Oddly hiring nu-metal producer Andrew "Mudrock" Murdoch (Godsmack, Avenged Sevenfold) to helm the boards, Barlow allows the songs on Goodnight Unknown to weave shoddily between closely layered, folk-tinged anti-dirges (album opener "Sharing") and more anthemic, crisp pop songs ("One Machine, One Long Fight"). The most glaring tragedy, however, lies in the total lack of humour and personality, which made Barlow one of the most translucent and affecting songwriters of the golden age of indie rock. Although Goodnight Unknown won't completely disappoint hardcore Sebadoh fans, it seems that Lou has lost a bit of the musical infatuation and sense of purpose he possessed back in the days when he still thought J. Mascis was a dick.