Illegal Foreign Object

The first thing that levels me clean between the eyes on Aaron Lee Tasjan’s 2018 album Karma For Cheap is how willing he is to unbutton his shirt, plunge beyond his sternum, and reveal the sounds that set his heart on fire. He isn’t even trying to disguise his influences — instead, Tasjan is bathing in their greatness — wallowing in their necessity.

“If Not Now When” opens the album, and it drips with how Warren Zevon imitating Tom Petty while playing songs inspired by George Harrison might sound.

“The Truth Is So Hard To Believe” wouldn’t be out of place on any of Tom Petty’s releases from the last half of his career. It’s a catchy, Beatles-tinged, calliope-rhythmic pop song that goes far beyond Tasjan’s “country artist” label. It’s unsurprising — Tasjan is a veteran of the music industry — a former sessions player, guitarist for a resurrected New York Dolls, co-founder of the alt-glam Semi Precious Weapons, and lead dog of the Madison Square Gardeners. Despite a move to Nashville in 2013, it’s clear that his glam and Americana roots run deep. Karma For Cheap is every bit as much of a nod to David Bowie as Harry Nilsson.

The “country” is there on “End Off The Day” — a simultaneous channeling of all three members of the Flatlanders. In the same breath, he’s Joe Ely’s honky tonk swing style, Butch Hancock’s Dylan-esque croak, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s laid-back, Texas warble.

“Strange Shadows” slithers along like the best of Roy Orbison, while “Set You Free” goes full ‘Oasis plays T. Rex’. The drumming is full-on Electric Warrior Bill Legend. Tasjan rides the beat with all the comfort of an afternoon nap in a swaying hammock. The touches of Oasis aren’t a shock either — when Tasjan was a kid, he taught himself guitar by playing along to the Britpop icons.

“Crawling At Your Feet” snarls but never pounces, and album closer “Songbird” is a not-so-subtle nod to the Beatles’ “I’m Only Sleeping” (if Robbie Williams were covering it). They aren’t my favorite songs on the albums, but they’re fine finishers.

It would have been easy for Karma For Cheap to have fallen into parody. Were it not for Tasjan’s stated love for the sounds he emulates, borrows, and repurposes, the album would make for an easy target for those looking to criticize the album for a lack of originality. What makes such criticism impossible here is that he sounds so damn happy playing these songs. The production is crystal clear, almost shimmery, and love pours from the recordings. Plus, what’s truly original in rock and roll? We’re all just ripping off Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Track List:

1. If Not Now When 9/10
2. The Truth Is So Hard To Believe 9/10
3. The Rest Is Yet To Come 9/10
4. Heart Slows Down 9/10
5. End Of The Day 9/10
6. Dream Dreamer 7/10
7. Strange Shadows 8/10
8. Set You Free 8/10
9. Crawling At Your Feet 7/10
10. Songbird 7/10

Grade: 82