One Fast Move Or I’m Gone: Kerouac’s Big Sur
by Jay Farrar And Benjamin Gibbard
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Oct 20, 2009
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Austin Chronicle
    89
    Rather than adapting Kerouac's writing into the usual frantic jazz inflections, Farrar lifts lines into rootsy blues and Americana shades, surfacing the author's uniquely skewed and stunning phrases.
  2. The A.V. Club
    75
    If anything, Gibbard sounds far too earthbound. Thematically, though, this combination makes a weird kind of sense.
  3. AllMusic
    70
    One Fast Move or I'm Gone might have evoked Jack Kerouac more vividly with other vocalists besides Farrar, but as a composer and producer, he's done right by his lyricist, and the results are modest but rewarding.
  5. Spin
    70
    A dark lark, but worth a listen.
  6. Under The Radar
    70
    This could of been a disaster, but both artists smartly stayed within their musical comfort zones, and their voicesa and styles blend remarkably well. [Fall 2009, p.58]
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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
  1. gkelly185
    Mar 30, 2012
    10
    It's hard to imagine why artist's open themselves up to such challenging material. So often, musicians fail to satisfy passionate followersIt's hard to imagine why artist's open themselves up to such challenging material. So often, musicians fail to satisfy passionate followers of a writer such as Kerouac but Farrar and Gibbard bravely tread into the fray. The subsequent product is astoundingly faithful to the spirit and writing of Kerouac while producing some fine music along the way. There is not one weak song on this album. Standout tracks include "California Zephyr", "Big Sur", "One Fast Move or I'm Gone", "Williamine" and "San Francisco". This was a serious endeavor that resulted in some masterful music.… Full Review »
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