Considering how few albums (two) Plush had put out prior to this 2004 release, it could be viewed as something of an indulgence to make his third full-length record an alternate version of his prior CD, 2002's Fed. Then again, considering how long fans have had to wait for the notoriously... [+] Expand

Considering how few albums (two) Plush had put out prior to this 2004 release, it could be viewed as something of an indulgence to make his third full-length record an alternate version of his prior CD, 2002's Fed. Then again, considering how long fans have had to wait for the notoriously unprolific Plush to issue albums -- it took eight years after Plush's 1994 debut single to even produce those two -- it could be viewed as a blessing that at least something else has been made available. Underfed contains, according to the brief liner notes, the "rough tracks" for Fed, which was subjected to a great deal of additional recording and overdubs on the same songs. In that respect, it's quite similar to many bootlegs by much better-known artists than Plush, which construct "alternate" albums out of different mixes and demos of songs that have made it onto the renowned final editions. You might even mistake it for a bootleg (or, more likely, a demo) from the packaging, which makes it look more like a CD-R given out to friends than an official release. There is, however, some worthwhile music underneath this unusual concept, as the sparser arrangements -- which sound rather like home studio demos embellished by basic synthesizer parts -- allow listeners to concentrate on the songs. These prove Plush auteur Liam Hayes to be a skilled creator of pop that's sophisticated, artsy, and romantic, sometimes with an orchestral sweep (albeit one where those synthesizers is sometimes serving as a chalk mark for the ultimate arrangements). The tracks are also reasonable showcases for Hayes' high, twisting voice which, in the spirit of Ray Davies (and, more faintly, Pete Townshend), have a touching quality of personal vulnerability. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide [-] Collapse

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