AMG Review of Vol. VII: My Usual Way

Stephen Cramer
All Music Guide

Scott Garred's one-man-band Super XX Man continued its quirky journey in 2004, with Vol. VII: My Usual Way. The mostly lighthearted and calm 12-track disc includes an impressive collection of tracks recorded at Garred's new home in Oregon. The disc starts with the intimate and warm "Soul of '02," and is followed by the more somber "Hey Louise." By this point, Garred already has the attention of listeners with his dynamic flare for the craft of simple, yet deliberate songwriting. The folky pop sound is still centered around simple storytelling and humble, introspective lyrics. The tempered "Grace (Glorified)" is followed by the more jolly "20+10," about Garred's thoughts about turning 30-years-old. The title track, "Usual Way," is an elegant, nonchalant romp through Garred's seemingly never-ending narrative, now in its seventh chapter. "(Electrified) Grace" marks new territory for Super XX Man, with its sparse hodgepodge of soft and layered instrumentation, much more lush and complex than most of Garred's solo work. Recorded entirely at home on an eight-track recorder, Sarah Kelly joins in on vocals, french horn, and drumming, among other duties. Garred also performs ukulele, harmonica, goblet drum, and recorder on this eclectic effort. A staggering cover of Neil Young's "Lost in Space" only cements comparisons between Garred's solo work and Young's acoustic, tender alter ego. The disc ends with the defiant "The Trapping," including more up-tempo instrumentation and more edginess than the rest of the disc. The dozen songs on Vol. VII: My Usual Way left Garred's fans yearning for more. Oregon's Lelp Recordings released the disc in early 2004.