WARREN ZEVON
Life'll Kill Ya (Artemis)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Life'll kill ya. Warren Zevon oughta know. He's narrowly escaped that fate more than a few times, or at least that's the impression we've gotten over a quarter century of hazy press reports and Zevon's own virtual media-silence. Zevon's lyrics have always been extremely revealing, making each album something of a state-of-the-artist address. Life'll Kill Ya seems to be Zevon's examination and acceptance of middle-aged life, as he sings in the title track, "from the President of the United States - to the lowliest rock and roll star - the doctor is in and he'll see you now - he don't care who you are."

The days of the hard-rocking "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" Zevon are long gone, but instead of the somewhat slick approach of some of his more recent albums, Life'll Kill Ya features a stripped-down approach that features Zevon's highly rhythmic acoustic guitar strumming, the understated bass of Jorge Calderon, and the rock steady drumming of Winston Watson. A few friends popped in for a track here and there (Chuck Prophet, Jimmy Ryan, Babi Floyd, Dennis Collins and Curtis King), but by and large this is a trio project and a smashing artistic success.

Zevon's imagery is as wonderfully skewed as ever. In the beautiful "Hostage-O," the sweetness of the main sentiment is tempered by the image of Zevon, bound and gagged, being dragged behind a clown-mobile, and in "For My Next Trick I'll Need A Volunteer," a knack for making love disappear is presented in the context of a magic show. This is Warren Zevon as we grew to love him in the 70s, only with the perspective of time and experience adding depth to the observations.

One song isn't listed on the back of the album. Sitting at track nine is a sultry, bluesy little number called "My Shit's Fucked Up," a diagnosis for a point in life when your usual plans, ploys and habits just don't seem to work any longer. "Well I went to the doctor - I said 'I'm feeling kind of rough' - He said 'I'll break it to you, son - your shit's fucked up.' - I said 'my SHIT'S fucked up? - Well I don't see how' - He said 'The shit that used to work - it won't work now'." If you haven't been there yet, wait for it. As Zevon says, "it'll happen to you."

This fantastic album closes with a sentiment that is honest, blunt, and entirely Zevon. "Don't Let Us Get Sick" is a prayer for the living, a verbalization of that which most of us just think quietly to ourselves. Don't let us get sick, old and stupid. Amen. And let's lift a glass in salute to Warren Zevon's best album in maybe fifteen years.

© 2000 - DJ Johnson