The tension between solo work and band work is sometimes palpable, as is the resentment of the post-breakup competition. Sometimes it’s laid right out in the album title. Here are my five favorite pissed-off, post (or pre)-breakup album titles. Or at least, the first five that occurred to me while writing this.
5. Bach’s Bottom by Alex Chilton. The mercurial lead singer of Big Star has had some pretty confounding output as a solo artist. His first almost-complete record mostly consists of covers (fans would eventually get used to this). His nervy and needy cover of “Can’t Seem to Make You Mine” is the best ever, while his original “Bangkok” features a double entendre that would make AC/DC’s eyes roll. Alex was in a band called the Box Tops, y’see, before Big Star. See, bad puns abound!
4. Rigor Mortis Sets In by John Entwistle. The Who’s bassist, the writer behind “Whiskeyman” and “Boris the Spider” (which, for the record, was Jimi Hendrix’ favorite Who song), dabbled in a solo career as Townsend the artiste started hogging entire records with his damn “operas.” I guess even the Ox had to admit that his creative juices weren’t quite flowing the way they used to by the time of his third record.
3. I’ve Got My Own Record To Do by Ron Wood. Rod Stewart used to be cool, back when he was in the Faces. He was still a bit of a prick, though, as he cultivated his solo career at the expense of his band. “I’ve got my own record to do,” was his excuse for skipping band sessions. Wood, the Faces’ guitarist, decided to use his time off productively, cutting a record with none other than Keith Richards. By the time Rod the Mod announced that he was through with the Faces, Woody had a better job lined up.
2. Congratulations, I’m Sorry by the Gin Blossoms. Your band has just scored a string of hits on “alternative” radio, but your principal songwriter (who is not the singer) has a huge heroin problem. How to deal? Kick him out of the band, but be sure to buy his rights to the songwriting royalties. Now, how do you apologize when he spends all that money on heroin, and then blows his brains out? Do it in the follow-up album title.
1. 75% Less Fat by Chris Mars. Mars was the drummer for the fabulously fucked-up Replacements. He was “replaced” for their last record and tour. Two years later, when he returned to recorded music, Mars decided to play the whole album himself. The Mats were a quartet. Do the math.