Kerosene Man

Kerosene Man
Studio album by Steve Wynn
Released	1990
Label	Rhino
Producer	Joe Chiccarelli
Steve Wynn chronology
Kerosene Man (1990) Dazzling Display (1992)

Kerosene Man is an album by the American musician Steve Wynn, released in 1990. ^{[1] [2]} Wynn supported the album with a North American tour. ^[3]

The title track was released as a single. ^[4] The album sold more than 70,000 copies in its first year of release. ^[5]

Production

Recorded in early 1990 after the resolution of legal issues related to the breakup of the Dream Syndicate, the album was produced by Joe Chiccarelli. ^{[6] [7]} Wynn had 40 songs to choose from, selecting 11 that were in a more pop style. ^[8] "Conspiracy of the Heart" is a duet with Johnette Napolitano. ^[9] "Here on Earth as Well" was written in the early 1980s. ^[10] Steve Berlin played saxophone on some of the songs; Fernando Saunders played bass. ^{[11] [12]} Wynn used strings on some tracks. ^[13] Edward Colver contributed some of the photography. ^[14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Chicago Sun-Times	[11]
Robert Christgau	[15]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[16]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[17]
Orlando Sentinel	[18]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[19]
Select	3/5 [20]

The Orlando Sentinel wrote that "some of Wynn's influences become pretty obvious, but he puts his own spin on them with his distinctive voice that couches a snarl in crooner-smooth phrasing"; the paper listed the album among the 10 best of 1990. ^{[18] [21]} The New York Times noted that the songs "are more tuneful and often funnier or more compassionate than typical Dream Syndicate fare." ^[22]

The Dallas Morning News determined that "guitar noise still predominates ... occasionally, Mr. Wynn lets things get all languid and acoustic." ^[23] The Plain Dealer opined that "it seems that throughout the album when the writing is there the music fails, and when the music is working the writing breaks down." ^[24] Spin stated that, "unpredictable and obsessive, Wynn's characters carry an unsettling edge of preoccupation." ^[25]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Tears Won't Help"
2.	"Carolyn"
3.	"The Blue Drifter"
4.	"Younger"
5.	"Under the Weather"
6.	"Here on Earth as Well"
7.	"Something to Remember Me By"
8.	"Killing Time"
9.	"Conspiracy of the Heart"
10.	"Kerosene Man"
11.	"Anthem"

References

1. Kot, Greg (March 22, 1990). "Rhino will soon release...". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
2. Gittins, Ian (June 16, 1990). "Albums: Steve Wynn". Melody Maker. Vol. 66, no. 24. p. 32.
3. Brace, Eric (July 12, 1990). "Steve Wynn". The Washington Post. p. B8.
4. Lustig, Jay (June 2, 1991). "Versions of Sonic Youth's 'Kool Thing'...". The Star-Ledger.
5. Sullivan, Jim (April 26, 1991). "Real Music Revue's rolling into Boston". The Boston Globe.
6. Mitchell, Justin (June 22, 1990). "Steve Wynn Molts Himself a Solo Career". Rocky Mountain News. p. 18W.
7. Gettelman, Parry (May 4, 1990). "Steve Wynn, Kerosene Man". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 17.
8. Selvin, Joel (June 17, 1990). "Steve Wynn's Solo Sound". Sunday Datebook. San Francisco Chronicle. p. 49.
9. Hochman, Steve (June 3, 1990). "Steve Wynn Breaks Out of the Syndicate". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 65.
10. Righi, Len (July 7, 1990). "Steve Wynn Refuels with 'Kerosene'". The Morning Call. p. A53.
11. McLeese, Don (June 1, 1990). "Musical maturity fuels Wynn's 'Kerosene Man'". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 57.
12. "Steve Wynn". Trouser Press. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
13. DeVault, Russ (July 6, 1990). "With solo LP 'Kerosene Man,' Wynn not dreaming anymore". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. G4.
14. Colver, Edward (2006). Blight at the End of the Funnel. Last Gasp. p. 198.
15. "Steve Wynn". Robert Christgau. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
16. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 792.
17. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 362.
18. Gettelman, Parry (June 22, 1990). "Steve Wynn". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 24.
19. The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 788.
20. Brown, Russell (July 1990). "Steve Wynn: Kerosene Man". Select . p. 119.
21. Gettelman, Parry (December 30, 1990). "Popular Music". Orlando Sentinel. p. L8.
22. Pareles, Jon (July 18, 1990). "A Triple Bill Takes Rock Back Toward Its Roots". The New York Times. p. C16.
23. Maurstad, Tom (June 4, 1990). "Kerosene Man, Steve Wynn". The Dallas Morning News. p. 5C.
24. Heaton, Michael (July 6, 1990). "Wynn can't get songs together". The Plain Dealer.
25. Menconi, David (September 1990). "Spins". Spin. Vol. 6, no. 6. p. 80.