Jimmywine Majestic (2015 Reissue)

Description

In 1993Red Red Meatreleased its first record for Sub Pop,Jimmywine Majestic. Building on the grungy roots of the bands self-titled debut, the second album was more confident and refined, with songwriter Tim Rutilis impressionistic lyrics hovering over twangy steel guitars, thick fuzzbox riffs, and barroom drums.

Produced byBrad Wood(Liz Phair, That Dog, Sunny Day Real Estate), the record finds the band (Rutili, Brian Deck, Glenn Girard, and Tim Hurley) moving away from the thrashing noise of the first record into more nuanced territory, maintaining its menacing swagger but injecting more space into songs likeMoon Calf TripeandLather, swinging harder on openerFlankand the anthemicBall, and pushing into blues and reconfigured roots rock withDowserandComes.

Much of the albums classic feel was informed by bands like the Rolling Stones and the Faces, a favorite kind of music for Tim Rutilli, says drummer and organist Brian Deck. It was his writing that pulled things in that direction, and it was probably his writing and ambition to be different from that that ultimately drove [the band] toward being esoteric and experimental, eventually morphing intoCalifonein the late 90s.

Informed by classic rock and blues, the album also benefits from Decks musical training and approach. While Red Red Meats other efforts, their self-titled debut in 1992, 1995sBunny Gets Paid, and 1996sTheres a Star Above the Manager Tonightfound Deck splitting his focus between production and performance, the drummer focused onJimmywine Majesticfrom a players perspective. The record was the work of an invigorated, young, and hungry band.

I remember [the album] mattering more to me than anything else in the world when we were doing it, Deck says. Its a sensation that you have as a young artist. You tend to not have that the older you get. But it was the most important thing that had ever happened to me in my life when we were working on it. That was an awesome thing.

Recut as a double LP for increased fidelity
Contains 4 additional tracks, 2 heard here for the first time.
Includes code for digital download of the entire record.