Warren Zevon – Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School – 1980
Opening with strings, a parade snare and bigger all around sound, the title track of Bad Luck Streak is a semi-powerhouse. I say “semi” because I’m not convinced that Warren is comfortable trying to be a “rock star”. Fortunately it’s over pretty quickly and we’re into the retro-50s “Certain Girl” complete with call and response lyrics. It’s catchy and a helluva lot of fun, but the discomfort continues. By the middle of the record it all feels and sounds like leftovers from the Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner sessions. The Interludes throughout suggest a theme that coincides with the ballet practice room on the cover, but really just add a melancholia to the record. Without being really poignant or strong. The dirge, “Bed of Coals” is something we’ve heard before. He’s sung it before. He’s done it better. Hell, Tom Waits does this better. It’s not awful, just tedious.
BLSiDS is a footnote. A trifle.
Grade: C
A Side: Play it All Night Long
BlindSide: A Certain Girl, Empty Handed Heart, Jeannie needs a Shooter
