Note: Rob Crow is best known as the frontman of Pinback, and this is his third solo album.
Sound: With Pinback, Rob and co. have mastered the art of interweaving complex guitars that sing and pairing them with sweet, airy voices that sound like an instrument. On Living Well, the textures are just as elegant, but stripped down and streamlined.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “I Hate You, Rob Crow” (Single Version); “Ring”;
Medium Rotation tracks: “Leveling”; “If Wade Would Call”; “Bam Bam”; “Taste”
Explicit Lyrics*: none
Recommended: Living Well is as hypnotic and beautiful as Pinback’s best work. The simplified sound actually makes each song more memorable and less likely drift into background music. This is Rob Crow’s most focused, personal and consistent solo album, and the second half is actually better than the first.
Grade: B+

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Download the “I Hate You, Rob Crow (Single Version)” MP3

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* Noting of explicit lyrics is for the benefit of radio music directors or anyone else that needs/wants to keep their music FCC-friendly.