AMG Review of Human Remains

Richie Unterberger
All Music Guide

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.