No one has to ask "what the hell happened to
Grant Hart
?" anymore. When last heard from in 1994, he was releasing his second LP with
Nova Mob
. His absence since was perhaps atypical, but here he is again, resuming his solo career for the first time in ten years. The good news is that
Good News
doesn't sound like
or 1991's visceral
Last Days of Pompeii
, nor does it repeat his more introspective 1989 solo LP
Intolerance
or 1988's accomplished
2541
EP. Production-wise, this is the most pleasant
Hart
has come across. A sugar rush is added to his pronounced hooks, adding warmth without robbing the attack of vitality. It's hard to describe -- the first thought might be the exuberance of
Cheap Trick
on
"Surrender,"
only not so thumping. Songs such as
"Nobody Rides for Free"
and
"Seka Knows"
are not traditional
power pop
as much as vaguely restrained, crunchy-under-the-surface melodic
rock
songs with slight '60s influence. This steady, understated exhilaration is consistent with
's affable personality. You see it most on the lightest selection,
"Run Run Run to the Centre Pompidou,"
a jaunty
pop
romp to nowhere in gay Paris. But it's just as prevalent in the slower, demure tracks such as
"You Don't Have to Tell Me Now"
and, most unique of all, the
Chills
-like New Zealand hush of
"Teeny's Hair."
's control now is as impressive as when he was contrarily blistering the night with such incredible intensity behind the drums in 1984. His best LP since he parted company with
Bob Mould
Greg Norton
? Very likely! ~ Jack Rabid