After a brief run with
the Rentals
in the mid-'90s, ex-
Weezer
wunderkind
Matt Sharp
turned around his signature quirky
pop
for an
Americana
mix of acoustic guitars and moody, sunless melodies for a solo career.
Sharp
joined guitarist/keyboardist
Greg Brown
, formerly of
Cake
, and
Josh Hager
in early 2002 for what would become the charming
Puckett's Versus the Country Boy
EP.
wears his heart on his sleeve on this easy-breathing four-song set. It seems like he is honest as a songwriter for the first time, sharing a sincere side for what's probably his most smartest material to date. It's nice to see
create something that's tangible for him as an artist, and
completists should be pleased with his musical progression. It was bound to happen and thankfully happened sooner rather than later. Through all of his experimenting,
's talent has earned him great respect, but he's been a little unsure of what to do with that. With
, he finally realizes that he deserves it. His confidence blossoms on the forlorn journey
"Goodbye West Coast"
and his tender heart swoons for
"Visions of Anna."
Tossing aside the Moog synthesizers for a grainy, high-lonesome romance on
is a brilliant move for
. ~ MacKenzie Wilson