When Clem Snide covered Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" for the EP of the same name, few would expect that such a bloated power ballad could be done as an effective song that was as earnest as it was forceful. Yet Eef Barzelay is one to always upset expectations, his backwoods indie-ballads always peppered with sharp pop culture observations that intertwine with his ever-present heartbreak (just listen to his solo track "The Ballad of Bitter Honey" to hear the best song ever written about a rap video girl's tormented life). With Lose Big, Eef's second solo album (third if you count his Rocket Science soundtrack), the former Clem Snide frontman shows that constant touring has only made his skills sharper, and that few acoustic balladeers are as witty, cunning, or genuinely affecting as Eef Barzelay, the subject of Globecat's fifth Aleatory.
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2. Favorite board game?
Sorry.
3. Favorite key to write in?
C
8. Favorite author?/Favorite book?
The Bible by God.
11. Favorite music video?
Madonna -- Papa Don't Preach
23. Favorite natural oddity?
My heart.
24. Favorite historical time period?
The time between the wars.
25. Favorite historical figure?
Tupac.
29. Who do you wish more people were listening to?
Tupac.
35. What's the best place you've randomly discovered while on tour?
Miss Tracy's Study Butte Cafe near Big Bend, TX.
39. What's something you could probably beat anyone you know at?
Grinding my teeth.
44. Something you've heard, know is false, but wish were true with all your heart?
That there is god.
50. What's your religious tradition or background?
Raised by Jewish atheists.
57. Most rock star thing you've ever done?
Playboy radio.
62. Your favorite song that you've done so far?
"Collapse" [from] End of Love [by] Clem Snide
65. Ever see yourself penning the score/soundtrack to a TV show or film?
Done and done.
70. What is a personal belief you hold that you would fight for to the death?
Freedom of thought.
76. Dream collaboration?
Little Jimmy Scott.
79. Best concert you've ever been to?
Little Jimmy Scott at Birdland, New Years Eve 2001.
84. Most disappointing concert you ever attended?
Whitesnake, Meadowlands 1986.
86. With Radiohead's In Rainbows release and Nine Inch Nails doing boffo business with his online releases, do you see yourself ever doing some alterative kind of release for any of your future projects?
Pay it forward, yo.
2. Favorite board game?
Sorry.
3. Favorite key to write in?
C
8. Favorite author?/Favorite book?
The Bible by God.
11. Favorite music video?
Madonna -- Papa Don't Preach
23. Favorite natural oddity?
My heart.
24. Favorite historical time period?
The time between the wars.
25. Favorite historical figure?
Tupac.
29. Who do you wish more people were listening to?
Tupac.
35. What's the best place you've randomly discovered while on tour?
Miss Tracy's Study Butte Cafe near Big Bend, TX.
39. What's something you could probably beat anyone you know at?
Grinding my teeth.
44. Something you've heard, know is false, but wish were true with all your heart?
That there is god.
50. What's your religious tradition or background?
Raised by Jewish atheists.
57. Most rock star thing you've ever done?
Playboy radio.
62. Your favorite song that you've done so far?
"Collapse" [from] End of Love [by] Clem Snide
65. Ever see yourself penning the score/soundtrack to a TV show or film?
Done and done.
70. What is a personal belief you hold that you would fight for to the death?
Freedom of thought.
76. Dream collaboration?
Little Jimmy Scott.
79. Best concert you've ever been to?
Little Jimmy Scott at Birdland, New Years Eve 2001.
84. Most disappointing concert you ever attended?
Whitesnake, Meadowlands 1986.
86. With Radiohead's In Rainbows release and Nine Inch Nails doing boffo business with his online releases, do you see yourself ever doing some alterative kind of release for any of your future projects?
Pay it forward, yo.
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