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Nov 06, 2013 Web Exclusive By JR Moores

Hey! You there! The Men! I pre-ordered your last LP at full price so I would have the privileged honor of receiving its “limited edition” bonus acoustic CD. Imagine my dismay at learning that that Campfire Songs has been given a general release and now any Tom, Dick, and Harry can get his grubby mitts on the recording. I haven’t felt this abused since queuing up in the rain every single Record Store Day to buy a Flaming Lips vinyl only to see it given later worldwide distribution in a slightly different color.

New Moon was noted by many for its shift towards poppier, radio-friendly territory, even if tracks such as “Supermoon” and “The Brass” remained markedly brash. Campfire Songs does a similar job with The Men’s acoustic tracks engaged in what journalists like to call “showing off their songwriting abilities.” The Men have kept their lo-fi integrity intact, however, by reputedly recording the EP around an actual campfire. Thus, it ends up less like Eric Clapton Unplugged than Lou-Barlow-dropping-a-four-track-in-a-puddle-of-muddy-water-while-burning-his-tongue-on-a-toasted-marshmallow. All the better for it, of course. (www.wearethemen.blogspot.com)

Author rating: 7/10