American singer-songwriter Sarabeth Tucek has been away. She first appeared 20 years ago on Smog’s Supper but hasn’t made an album of her own since 2011’s Get Well Soon – so long ago that the title track was boosted by its appearance in season one of Girls. Now Tucek’s back with a change from real name to nickname and a double album of new material. Just as in her previous incarnation, she makes slightly scuzzy, heartfelt indie rock, although much emotional impact is squandered as overlong songs stay up way past their bedtimes, all wearing very similar pyjamas.
Joan of All is more exciting when SBT leans into weirdness. 13th Street #1 recalls her best work, spiky narrative cadence sparking against taut, Lou Reed rock, made explicit by lyrics about listening to his Coney Island Baby. Shame it isn’t joined by alternate version 13th Street #2, as the album would be stronger with more of Reed’s gimlet-eyed relentlessness. Too many songs start engagingly, become slightly less interesting then peter out. And as ever, Tucek’s lyrics fall between pleasingly quotidian and blandly banal, derailing promising tracks such as The Tunnel.
