For the past decade or so, Tim Kinsella has challenged the conventions, trends, and occasionally even the patience of his audience with the numerous projects he's been involved with- Cap'n Jazz, Owls, Friend/Enemy, Joan Of Arc, and, most recently, Make Believe. While most of Kinsella's work is typically hit-or-miss fare, Make Believe seems to have accrued a new sense of focus and direction for the singer. The group is described as "Owls without drug problems, Friend/Enemy with a consistent lineup and a practice schedule" and its press release even details a 7-point improvement plan:
- Would be a live band--all songs written as a band playing live.
- No-one was getting in unless they were down for the long haul--maintain a consistent lineup
- Practice every day--well over 40 hours a week--if they're lucky enough to get away with living outside of the dominant culture as much as they are, they would work hard to maintan and justify such a privilege.
- No effect pedals
- No over-dubs
- Songs would have to speak for the collective not the individual singer
- Sound palette limited to classic rock band lineup to force new approaches to cliched shapes
