Warren Zevon - Mutineer

Warren Zevon has been juxtaposing tender and malevolent sentiments for more than two full decades now. While this collection skews slightly more toward his compassionate side, our Southern California anti-hero (think of him as longtime champion Jackson Browne's troubled cousin) continues to explore twisted psyches with dark humor and rough poetry. Zevon produced this album and plays most of the instruments (guests include Bruce Hornsby and David Lindley), and the spare surroundings opted for here suit the songs just fine. Zevon has long since fallen from the commercial heights he seized briefly in the mid-'70s, but The Mutineer shows he's remains as iconoclastic and engrossing as ever. --Steve Stolder Amazon.com

Just Terrific

I love this album - something great about each song. The garage band sound belies the beautiful, intricate arrangements. Really fine...every song a jewel. May his soul rest in peace. September 16, 2008

Love It

I really love this CD. Zevon has always had his romantic contemplative side and this is the CD where in my opinion that side shines. I love Similar to Rain, Piano Fighter, Something Bad happened to a Clown and Mutineer. To my mind Seminola Bingo and Rotweiler Blues are the weaker cuts. Monkey Wash Donkey Rinse absolutely cracks me up. July 13, 2007

Yep, imperfect but underrated.

It's one of the most overlooked albums in the Excitable Boy's catalogue. Ask a random WZ fan about their favorites and chances are they'll name seven or eight others before even thinking of Mutineer. To have heard Warren talk about it, you'd think it only sold in double digits. To be honest it's not quite in my top five either. But while it's not another Sentimental Hygiene, it's a far cry from Wanted Dead or Alive as well. This one deserves another look and (for those who appreciate the man's genius) probably a spot on the shelf.

Mutineer can sound somewhat dashed-off because it's under 36 minutes, it's largely solo and the production is minimal. Fair enough. He'd been flying solo with just a piano & guitar for a while anyway, and here there are just a few scattered contributions to back him up. What matters are the songs. While "Rottweiler Blues" does sound tossed-off and the clown song is too dreary (lacking a spot of humor to balance things out), the rest is really stronger than it sounds at first. "Monkey Wash Donkey Rinse" is a sneakily fun staple to complement the wickedly catchy "Seminole Bingo." "The Indifference of Heaven" proves to be a magnificent slow grower after several spins (and so does "Similar to Rain" to a lesser extent). The title track is also more honest & sincere than usual, but that ultimately makes it all the more lovely. Judee Sill's "Jesus Was a Cross Maker" is a weird cover to include, and opinions usually seem to be mixed about it. I for one say it's an excellent inclusion.

Mutineer isn't as big on the dark rapier wit we love so much, and it probably suffers from comparison after being sandwiched between two WZ masterpieces (Mr. Bad Example and Life'll Kill Ya). But once you've covered the high points of the Zevon catalogue and grabbed the ages-overdue CD issue of Stand in the Fire, it'll be time to take another glance here. January 12, 2007

Joe.in.Louisiana

This is a great album; highly underrated. If you are even a moderate fan - get this one. February 7, 2004

One Oar In The Water

This was Zevon's least interesting album. His rascal wit is sheathed and a couple of the songs are complete throwaways. That is not to say that his usual tendencies are completely buried, since this CD opens with the funny "Seminole Bingo" and closes with the brilliant title track. Unfortunately, you have to sit through the puzzlingly awkward "Something Bad Happened To a Clown" and "Jesus Was a Cross Maker" (which he didn't even write). Most of "Mutineer" sounds like his heart really wasn't much in it.

The best of the rest, "Piano Fighter" and "The Vast Indifference Of Heaven," make for better than average listening. If you are looking for prime Warren Zevon, start with "Genius," "Excitable Boy," "The Wind" or "Sentimental Hygiene." January 16, 2004

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