Calvin Johnson cracks me the fuck up. It’s not because he’s laughable — it’s because he sounds like he’s having so much fun. Calvin knows music, he’s a devoted fan of music, and it comes through in what he does. Calvin’s always represented a carefree reckless abandon with his music, an enigmatic snarky quirkiness balanced with humor and heart unlike anyone I’ve ever known. Since 1982, Calvin has been a driving force in indie music, has fans and friends the world over, and a legacy worth talking about. As a member of Beat Happening, The Halo Benders (with Dug Martsch of Built to Spill), Dub Narcotic Sound System and as owner of Olympia, Washington’s ubiquitous K Records, Calvin has developed his ever-swirling persona to become a life-sized pin-up model for D.I.Y. He has inspired countless bands and artists and a string of independent record labels to spring up. Calvin’s also known for his Dub Narcotic Studio, where he has been seen recording records with the likes of Beck, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Mirah, The Gossip, and so many more.
With the release of his second solo effort, Before The Dream Faded, he goes back across several of the roads he’s been down before with all the energy and self-confidence I would expect from someone with his skills. There’s a small piece of nearly every project I’ve ever heard him associated with represented here — delightful indie pop (“Rabbit Blood”), railroad anthems (“Red Wing Black”), the downright bleak (“I’m Down”), and spaced-out grooves like this song, “The Leaves of Tea”. Calvin’s great gift comes from his very unique and sweet naievete mixed with a limitless supply of tongue-in-cheek humor. These ten songs can alternately send you swooning, feeling gloomy or having a good laugh — occasionally all at the same time. Before The Dream Faded puts you on an emotional rollercoaster ride, and when it ends you just want to ride again.
While I’m down here, enjoy a couple of my personal favorite tracks from a two of his other projects that I love — “Don’t Touch My Bikini” from The Halo Benders classic God Don’t Make No Junk and this 7″ single from his Dub Narcotic Sound System, “Fuck Shit Up”.
