The Minus 5 and
The No Ones albums
2023
My Evil Best Friend - 85%
Scott McCaughey can crank out Power Pop with the best of them, and his newest incarnation of melodic warriors have made yet another classic. "304 Molino Way" is perfect 1970s Raspberries or Big Star or even 60's Byrds, by a group that really knows how to pull it off. Peter Buck of REM fame shines as well with his glowing guitars, while "Song for George" is one of the most beautiful George Harrison homages i Have ever heard.
McCaughey's humor was always been his secret weapon, whether channeling cult favorites in "Blue Cheer Captain" or "Phil Ochs is Dead" with Buck's unmistakable jangle arpeggios, or the hilarious "Band with No Head" which makes perfect sense out of nonsense. "KLIV" might be channeling the old times a bit too much, and is kind of an odd intro to an otherwise super melodic album- then again garage rock has always been part of it. The rhythm section of Swedish musicians is great as well.
Whether playing in Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5, or with Robyn Hitchcock, McCaughey really follows his own muse. My Evil Best Friend fits right in with other classic records he has made, the first Minus 5 record or even the continually underrated Young Fresh Fellow's Fabulous Sounds of the Pacific Northwest from 1989. I hope he keeps making music like this forever which....it sounds like he will....and anyways the tunes are as good as anything ever on the radio in its heyday- so I know the SONGS will lives far longer than we humans will.
Best Songs: 304 Molino Way, Band With No Head, Phil Ochs is Dead, We Are the Band
The Minus 5
2025
Oar On, Penelope - 87%
I love a good Minus 5 release. The last music I remember hearing by Scott McCaughey leading the charge was his The No Ones project from 2023, and in a charming way it’s hard to determine the difference between that one and this one musically- and that's not a detrimental thing. McCaughey his group of melodic rogues (whether its called Young Fresh Fellows, No Ones, solo work, or this band- his longest lasting ever shifting group) have definitely perfected their brand of power pop but also keep crafting great songs along the way: "Death of the Bludgeoner" is an easy contender for a powerful addition to the power op canon; "Garden of Arden" brings a nice metallic riff which effervescent choruses in my favorite song on here; "We Shall Not be Released" and "Last Hotel" have the lyrical content to make them last, echoing Roger McGuinn and Bob Dylan.
What is impressive here is the consistency and the ability to hold our attention. Each song is a variation of a different way to be 'catchy' from the chanting of "Let the Rope Hold, Cassie Lee" to the silly joy of "Blow in My Bag" to the 60's pastiche of "Falling like Jets." At times it’s easy to forget which songs have ‘oh-la-la; type backing vocals, because in our heads they all kind of dude. All light and fluffy melodies used in different ways from folk, to hard rock, to a sort of alternative rock McCaughey had a hand in inventing; talk about a person who does not get enough credit!. I counted- this is about his fortieth album in his career, spanning since 1983. Has any old group of friends sounded so young while sounding so old? It’s not just the poppy songs and memorable music, Minus 5 music is about the joy of life coming in through the songs. There is hardly a wasted moment throughout Oar On Penelope, making Minus 5 a vital force proving the vitality of pop music.
Greatest songs: The Garden of Arden, Death the Bludgeoner, Let the Rope Hold Cassie Lee, Falling Like Jets