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Tim Weems Debuts with Too Many Paint Chips Expatriated Mainer Tim Weems has entered the published musical fray by completing his 13-track debut solo album, Too Many Paint Chips. Since moving to Bozeman, Montana in July 2002, Weems has focused on building his local performance résumé by performing at area bars and restaurants. The album's release helps further evince his musical commitment. The eclectic compilation of original works includes a series of what the artist calls "scrapbook songs," along with some more serious political commentary. The self-deprecating title track and others such as "Absolute Zero" describe memorable (including some downright embarrassing) moments from Weems' childhood and young adult years. The selection of more socially contemplative songs reflects his interest in stimulating political thought and debate. The haunting "Sinaloa," for instance, describes state-sanctioned deprivation felt by Mexican shrimping communities in the 1980s. This song and others like "SprawlMart" arose from Weems' experience as a sociology and environmental studies major at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. The artist admits to drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, and indeed thanks several in the album's liner notes. The Downeast humor of "12 Days of Christmas in Maine" evokes Adam Sandler and the lesser-known (outside the Pine Tree State) "Wicked Good Band." The sarcastic wit permeating "The Flow" is Woody Guthrie-esc, while the stark depiction of human suffering in "No Other" borrows from the style of Bruce Springsteen's "Ghost of Tom Joad." Explained Weems, "I have no delusions of true originality. My intent is to steal and combine in new and interesting ways." Too Many Paint Chips was produced and recorded at Jereco Studios in Bozeman. Excepting a trace of harmonica, the instrumentation is simply acoustic guitar and Weems' vocals. Regardless, an ambitious panoply of vocal tracks on songs like "Here But For the Grace of God," which features the "Tim Weems Chorus," reportedly tested the mixing mettle of co-producer Jeremiah Slovarp and his Yamaha 02R96 board. Weems also created the extensive artwork for the cover, CD label, and liner notes, suggesting an interest in multiple areas of artistic expression. In fact, he plans to launch a line of WeemsWorks apparel carrying his own designs later this year. Along with getting serious about his music, the artist engages in a wide variety of other activities, including teaching guitar, cross-country ski racing, snowboarding, substitute teaching, whitewater riverboarding, and developing plans to create a nationwide network of World Shoe Relief collection and distribution centers (to benefit people needing shoes in the U.S. and beyond). For more information about Tim Weems' projects and performances in and around Montana, see his website, www.weemsworks.com. Check out the artist's website: http://www.weemsworks.com Track List: 1. Too Many Paint Chips 2. Fish Out of Water 3. The Void 4. Pick-Up Lines 5. Absolute Zero 6. Sinaloa 7. The Flow 8. H 9. Here But For the Grace of God 10. No Other 11. Around to Me 12. 12 Days of Christmas in Maine 13. SprawlMart Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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