Songs for the
Anti-De-Counterrevolution (2000)

The title of this conceptual mouthful sets the tone for a loquacious debut. The tracks are equal parts of Dylan’s symbolist poetry and Dave Van Ronk’s meticulous guitar, sponged up by a young mind frantic to express itself. Thematically wandering from wistful nostalgia to consternation and resignation, Songs For The Anti-De-Counterrevolution never doubts its own self-assurance through 12 furious tracks until confessing, “I know enough to know I don’t know a thing”. Sing Out! briefly noted the album as “poignant lyrics with ragtime guitar,” while the local antifolk ‘zine Antimatters called it “happy protest music, combining the lyrics of modern revolution (such as it is) with a voice full of cheerful, disturbing thoughts.” Thick on historical name-dropping and socio-ideological angst, the album prompted Van Ronk to urge Rob to “throw out all your Dylan records.”

St. Louis’ heralded DJ Crucial collaborated with Rob for just over a week to record the set. Spare on instrumentation, it features perhaps only three overdubs: a round of soul-claps, a recorder solo and a wayward hip-hop sample.

Track listing