Man on Man
Provincetown
POLYVINYL
For the past four decades, we’ve primarily come to know Roddy Bottum for his work spiking Faith No More songs with eerie, corny, or just plain weird keyboard effects. Beyond handling rhythm guitar and backing vocals for that band, too, astute alt-rock audiophiles may recognize Bottum from his leading role in the woefully underappreciated (but still active) Imperial Teen. With that in mind, it’s actually Man on Man, the accomplished musician’s third project of note, that appears most personally fulfilling to Bottum. This isn’t a subjective interpretation; even the name of the band and title of their new album—Provincetown, a Cape Cod mecca for the LGBT+ community—remind us of his sexuality.
Along with partner and bandmate Joey Holman, their second record is as direct as Faith No More albums are enigmatic. Lightly distorted guitars, slightly modulated vocals, some soft beats, and the occasional dose of drone frame Bottum’s often didactic but rarely pointed lyrics, which are the centerpiece of Provincetown. Over the course of the album’s 10 tracks, Bottum recounts experiences both disturbing and amusing, including getting robbed at a so-called “safe space” (“Haute Couture”) and turning down the opportunity to have a threesome. Shifting from the micro level to a macro view, Bottum minces no words about whether he thinks Americans are an accepting people, how he remains optimistic despite the ongoing culture wars (“I Feel Good”), and even how he has trouble connecting with young people.
“I don't get the references, but I get the message,” he told me in a recent interview. “Take a minute to listen to kids, ’cause the grownups are kind of a letdown. You’ll be glad you did.” Bottum has no qualms about imparting advice to younger people, particularly ones who are going through similar struggles he did. Given how transparent Bottum speaks about his own past, his words of wisdom never come across as ignorant or condescending. “Take a beat and listen,” he recommended. “When you listen, you grow. Live life. Be kind. Kick back. Quit trying. Fuck a lot. Stay cool. Get comfortable with your feelings.”
Exemplary production by Bottum and Holman coat Provincetown with an almost easy-listening sheen. (That tone is even left undisturbed by a surprisingly mild guest guitar contribution by J Mascis on “Hush.”) The record responds to infuriating social topics with grace, careful consideration—and even priceless advice for gay individuals wanting to transcend it all and simply be at peace with themselves and the world.
