Alejandro Escovedo: Real Animal

Release Date: June 24

Label: Back Porch / Manhattan Records

As introspective and self-defining go, Alejandro Escovedo’s latest release, Real Animal, could be characterized as just that. However, it is not that simple. After all, this is a man whose storied past is itself worthy of an entire album. That is precisely what Real Animal is — a collection of original songs that reflects on his early days as a member of one of California’s first punk rock bands, through his transition into “alternative country” and finally into his battle with Hepatitis C, which nearly took his life. This album reflects on the people and places that influenced him throughout that journey.

At first listen it seems as if Escovedo is recalling — if not reliving — his punk days with both anger and affection. The powerful guitar riffs compliment the heavy lyrics on “Chelsea Hotel ’78,” a song about that place and time when Sex Pistols’ Sid Vicious was arrested for killing girlfriend Nancy Spungen: “I stood out on the sidewalk / When they busted through the door / In a white tuxedo jacket / A cop had him by each arm / … Nobody knows for sure / All we know is they found Nancy in her black underwear / Dead on the bathroom floor.” Escovedo, a friend of Sid and Nancy, was actually standing outside of the hotel when Vicious was led away from it in handcuffs.

“Nuns Song,” about Escovedo’s days with mid-70s San Francisco punk band The Nuns, is a raw and emotional rocker that combines scorching guitars with some beautifully angry cello solos. “Smoke” and “Real as an Animal” further define Escovedo as an artist who has not forgotten his punk rock roots. Both tracks’ driving beats and nicely layered guitars somehow prove that both unrefined and moving rockers can live in harmony with polished production, courtesy of legendary producer Tony Visconti.

For those looking for the gentler side of Escovedo, Real Animal does offer some nice ballads to counter the heavies. “Golden Bear,” about his near-death experience with Hepatitis C several years ago, is a beautiful mix of introspective lyrics, violin, cello and keyboards that sounds peculiarly similar to David Bowie’s “Ashes to Ashes,” a song that Visconti produced for Bowie in 1980. Three more ballads, “Sensitive Boys,” “Swallows of San Juan” and “Slow Down,” along with the more twangy “People,” help balance out the overall tempo of Real Animal and bring to mind the more alternative country side of Escovedo that many of his fans are familiar with. Still, there is nothing about this record that should deter even his most hardcore fans who are expecting a rootsy album.

Real Animal is about as powerful as it gets. While every song might not appeal to everyone, there is certainly at least something on it that will stick. And, it is a sure bet that each subsequent listen will yield more favorites from the man who has been able to combine so much of his life and career into 13 songs that should leave the listener asking, “What’s next?”