Bill is back as Smog release another bona fide classic.
There are some times when it is hard to determine where Bill Callahan and Smog fit into this crazy world. So far removed from the cult of celebrity and short-fix disposable entertainment, that difficult to place where Smog belong in this modern world but the only appropriate place is at the forefront of every right thinking and individualistic record collection everywhere. Bill may be a person who makes himself hard to love and he may border on nasty but for his music alone, everyone should adore Smog.
'A River Aint Too Much To Love' is Smogs current album and probably contains their most commercial work in a long time. As an album, it fits together perfectly and although this single release has taken a long time in coming, it stands as a perfect advertisement for the album.
As a song, it's a slow finger picked lament to things gone by which perfectly showcases Callahans dark and foreboding vocals. It rises and falls throughout dragging the listener on a tale of lost dreams. The guitar and piano tinklings don't make any attempt to stand out but after a few listens, the stark beauty of the track shines through and for all that there is no great pace or driving quality to the song, it plays away and stands out as one of the most touching and earnest songs that will likely be released as a single this year.
If there is any criticism of 'Rock Bottom Riser' it lies in the fact that the song is merely great but doesn't match the heights of previous Smog highs such as 'I Break Horses' or 'Held' (amongst tens of amazing Smog songs you could mention.) And in itself that's no real criticism as 'I Break Horses' is one of the greatest songs of all time and no living artist has probably equalled it in the past few years, let alone Bill Callahan doing it.
In context though, 'Rock Bottom Riser' is just a very fine Smog song as opposed to being a song that every listener should hunt down and kill for.
However, a very fine Smog song is still probably a million miles better than anyone elses efforts, and for that alone, 'Rock Bottom Riser' should be on your playlists and CD piles everywhere.