THE CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
THE BAND; "Northern Lights — Southern Cross" (Capitol):: I have always found myself put off by the sprung quality of the Band's music — the sense that if someone were to undo the catch its works would be propelled forth in all directions. Instead of energizing the impulse to piece together the lyrics — in the manner of the Stones, not to mention Bob Dylan — the sound of albums like "Big Pink" and "Stage Fright" (not "The Band," though, or "The Basement Tapes") tends to reinforce their own metaphorical impenetrability.
THE CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
Robert Christgau
THE BAND; "Northern Lights — Southern Cross" (Capitol):: I have always found myself put off by the sprung quality of the Band's music — the sense that if someone were to undo the catch its works would be propelled forth in all directions. Instead of energizing the impulse to piece together the lyrics — in the manner of the Stones, not to mention Bob Dylan — the sound of albums like "Big Pink" and "Stage Fright" (not "The Band," though, or "The Basement Tapes") tends to reinforce their own metaphorical impenetrability. So the pure comeliness of every melody on this album led to an immediate infatuation. As I listened to the words, however, infatuation turned to mild affection, for once again a parallelism in force. The best of these songs is sentimental; the worst (the two that are set in the city) are grossly sentimental. If Garth Hudson hadn't turned into a synthesizer natural the music might not even prevail in the end, although it does. I just wish, though, that more of the promise o)f that enormously suggestive title had been fulfilled.
A Minus.