julIANA HATFIELD & PAUL WESTERBERG, the i don’t cares,
“JUST A PHASE,”
FROM: THE I DON’T CARES, 2016
“It’s just a phase
She’s going through
It’s not that old, it’s something new
It’s not your fault, she ain’t blaming you
And it’s just a phase
Is she 16 or 31
A little bit mean
Wearing her fun??
Whatever you do
Don’t ask her age
It’s just a phase
If she bursts into tears
And thinks that no one cares
Impatient, she’s changing
She’s running hot, she’s running cold
The weather/Whatever she’s got, inevitable
She’s full of life
She’s full of rage
It’s just a phase
If she bursts into tears
And thinks that no one cares
Impatient, she’s changing
No longer a curse
She’s still in the hole
Whatever it’s worth
She’s such a dear
Let’s make it clear
It’s one of them days
It’s just a phase”
As a total package, The I Don’t Cares got it knocked: a kind of tectonic sonic attitude. The both of them have carved out a place in recent lo-fi heaven. And the record cover glows with a colorfully understated guitar geometry whatever that means. And this is officially how you name a rock band. To do it justice, you would have to give “Wild Stab” a full listen. Mr. Westerberg has specialized in playing all the instruments on many of his solo records. With the able help of Juliana’s sensibilities he continues to do so on this one. The sound is quietly big in this portrait painted of personal funk.