Perhaps it was inevitable - after no fewer than ten magisterial albums, Bill Callahan (aka Smog) has finally delivered one that fails to satisfy. As devotees will know, Callahan is a reclusive character who specialises in darkly observational country-folk songs of deadpan humour and vicious misanthropy. It's a uniquely individual style that's produced spectacular results in the past - but somehow the songs on Supper lack the focus and purpose of his earlier work. Equally importantly, there just aren't that many memorable tunes this time around. There are, to be fair, two or three tracks that would grace any Smog compilation - most notably 'Truth Serum', which deals wittily with the consequences of telling secrets to friends and features a lilting contribution from Callahan's vocal partner Sarabeth Tucek. Overall, however, you're left with the impression of an artist who's badly in need of some new ideas.
