The conceptual scope of
Human Remains is not nearly as ambitious as Lubbock. But the gutsier and more varied musical arrangements -- crafted with help from
Lloyd Maines,
David Byrne,
Joe Ely,
Lucinda Williams, and many others -- may make this a better introduction to
Allen's world. There's certainly no shortage of interesting character sketches, like a one-legged dancing woman, memories of "flower children and their sh*t-eating grins," and 13-year-olds well on their way to reform school. "Gone to Texas" especially is a refreshing blast of true anti-establishment sentiment,
Allen singing in even-mannered tones that he doesn't need a chickensh*t (his term) business man telling him what to do, and dissing some country star who thinks that all it takes to be special is to wear a hat and win Grammys. ~ Richie Unterberger