Once your brain filtered out the distorted guitars and supersonic rhythm section, it was obvious that X was a folk-rock band with the heart(s) of a singer/songwriter. During his solo career, Doe has continued exploring permutations of roots/Americana in its various forms. He dips into that well again on The Westerner, with producers Howe Gelb and Dave Way opening up the sound with layers of guitar effects that create a dark, spacey atmosphere.
Doe sings former partner Exene Cervenka’s “Alone In Arizona” with a spooky tone intensified by clanging sci-fi guitars and Ryan Feves’ rumbling bass. “Sunlight” is a sparse ballad that could be Doe’s autobiography, delivered in 21 compact lines backed by a murmuring chorus of guitars. A warped, ghostly Bo Diddley beat drives “My Darling, Blue Skies,” an ominous country tune with an apocalyptic lyric and a chorus of swirling, distorted guitars that give the track an intensely unsettling aura.
—j. poet
