Perfect
Once, Twice, Three Times a Maybe

(Rykodisc)

First Appeared in The Music Box, October 2004, Volume 11, #10

Written by John Metzger

In 1995, Tommy Stinson formed Perfect, his second post-Replacements project, but after releasing an EP titled When Squirrels Play Chicken, the group’s full-length debut Seven Days a Week fell victim to record company politics and was shelved. Since then, the album has obtained a cult-like following of sorts, although that hardly speaks to the quality of the endeavor. Indeed, it might have been better to just let this sleeping dog lie. In essence, the collection, which has been re-titled Once, Twice, Three Times a Maybe, is the antithesis of Stinson’s recently released solo outing Village Gorilla Head. Propelled by youthful exuberance and full of borrowed moments and half-baked ideas, the songs stumble more than they soar, and the pop-fueled sheen provided by Jim Dickinson’s production zaps what’s left of their edge. That’s not to say that the outing is utterly devoid of merit. After all, there are hints of better things to come buried within its tracks, but although it provides insight into Stinson’s career trajectory, Once, Twice, Three Times a Maybe is a little bit like watching sausage being made.

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Ratings

1 Star:   Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2004 The Music Box