Outlet Kids Fly Free by Lach NEUF

Tracks:
Holy Days
Human Boy
Smoking Again
He Wanted to Talk About His Art
Hesitant, The
I Love America (But She Dont Love Me)
This Land Is Your Land
Beautiful
Little Miss Mystery
Sallys Gone Blue
Secrets Theme
You Better Be Good to Her
Aint It the Most
Day Without Me, A (Kids Fly Free)

Performer Notes:

• Includes a 16 page lyric booklet illustrated by Daniel Johnston, with paintings by Kylliki Talp.
• Lachs second album, Blang!, was a very tough act to follow. In contrast to Contender -- the New York folk-rockers uneven debut album of 1990 -- Blang! was a focused, consistent gem that boasted some of his most inspired writing. Thankfully, Lach keeps the creative momentum going on his third full-length album, Kids Fly Free (fourth if you count the compilation Lachs Antihoot: Live From the Fort at Sidewalk Caf‚). The New Yorker, true to form, successfully bridges the gap between Bob Dylan and punk. And once again, he demonstrates that his sense of humor is among his greatest assets. Lach is witty and genuinely clever whether he is singing about health nuts who fall off the wagon ("Smoking Again") or a spoiled woman who is destined to be lonely because she labors under the delusion that no man could possibly be good enough for her ("The Hesitant"). Most of the songs arent overtly socio-political, but when Lach does get into socio-political territory, the results are excellent. One of the CDs best tracks is the poignant "I Love America (But She Dont Love Me)," which is patriotic but not in a knee-jerk, conformist, unthinking way -- the song is about loving the idea of American democracy but feeling less valued because youre gay, black, or poor. Lachs commentary is very much in favor of the American Dream; all hes saying is that people shouldnt be excluded from it because of their race or sexual orientation. The only song on the album that Lach didnt write is Woody Guthries "This Land Is Your Land," which lends itself quite nicely to a punky anti-folk makeover. Blang! remains Lachs most essential album, but Kids Fly Free runs a close second. ~ Alex Henderson

Professional Reviews: Mojo (Publisher) (8/02, p.102) - "...Admirably maverick..."

Producer: Richard Barone

Format: CD (1 Disc); Stereo

Country: USA

Studio/Live: Studio

Release Date: 18 September, 2001

Label: Fortified Records

Dimensions: 12.7 x 14 x 1.3 centimeters (0.06 kg)