Mike Gordon / The Green Sparrow July 29, 2008 - Performing Songwriter By K. Phegley Album Review - The Green Sparrow In his 21 years as the restident bassist for jam legends Phish, Mike Gordon wrote songs at a pace of about two an album, usually contributing psychedelic bluegrass tunes and tongue-in-cheek torch numbers. It's unsurprising, then, that the 10 tracks on his first true solo album remain all over the map - a potpourri collection of Afro-Cuban rhythms, funk-laden pop stylings and quirky balladeering. With former bandmates Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell in tow, the soaring opener "Another Door" sounds like a lost Phish jam, but soon things spin into new territory with the staccato pop tune "Andelmans' Yard" and the horn-driven funk of "Radar Blip" standing out as successful experiments. Lyrically Gordon keeps the focus on first-person musings with a wry grin, particularly in the sycopated ballad "Pretend" where lines like "we could deja vu backwards, baby" and "I think I'm falling in like with you" perfectly rude the line between silly and sweet. His proclivity to let the groove take over occassionally overwhelms his melodic sensibilities, but the sonic diversity and strong musicianship on The Green Sparrow more than justify its flaws. Article © 2008 Performing Songwriter. All Rights Reserved.