It's undeniable that Micah is a master of the "lamenting-a-failed-relationship" song. The "what ifs", "should haves", and "wish I didn't's" of any failed relationship are all present in familiar form. From the opening line of the opening song, "Choir Boys", the tone for the album is set by the line "You've got to be kidding me. Is this really how this is gonna end?". The theme of heartbreak is run straight through to a line in the final track of the album, "This is My Headstone", where he confesses "It takes a better man than me, I guess, to carry all this loneliness. If you want to know my one regret, well, I never really found her".
The songs of heartbreak and spite are entwined with tales of a weary traveling musician, and Micah's disenchantment with religion. All proving entertaining because of the slick lyrics used. At any point, on any song, without fail you can imagine vividly what is being said both upfront and in between the lines.
As for the production, it seems that this album is a little less gritty that it's predecessor. The arrangements are more pop oriented, but it works in a weirdly positive way. The poppy uptempo bass and piano intro of "The Heavy Things" starts you off happily (and later uncomfortably) singing along about the unfortunate death of a friend.
Overall it's the perfect album to listen to if you've just broken up with your girlfriend or feel like sulking over a loss in general. But in a catchy way that could possibly cheer you up. (?)
The digital download of this album made it into my top 24 albums of 2011 (even though it's physical release isn't until 2012). For more info on Micah Schnabel go to:
I am not a reviewer. I have noted this on several occasions, as I have a hard time putting my thoughts into a format that makes sense to people, outside of my own head.
But sometimes there is a spurt of albums released at one time that just makes you want to scream at people to make them aware of the awesomeness that they are more than likely missing.
This is one of those albums.
My first introduction for this album, was the music video for the album's title track "Low Down", which surpassed anything on their self titled previous effort. Now, that's arguably a pretty strong intro to an album. This also left some lofty goals for the rest of album, which I hadn't heard yet.
Honestly, I enjoyed their first album, quite a bit more than most of my peers. So when I finally received the album, I expected the track "Low Down" to be the stand out, and everything else would be on the same level as their last album. And honestly I only thought this because I heard the two Mallett Bros. albums only within a couple months of each other.
What I found was an eclectic set of ear candy that surpassed my expectations. It turns out this album maintained the road set it's example track, "Low Down" (the song). The album ranges from acoustic riff rock openers like "Benny" to solid banjo fronted tracks like "Born Cryin'" that draw you into the album to see where their music will go next. But overall it's the soulfulness in the voices of the Mallett Bros (Will & Luke) that makes the songs unique to the band.
This album will undoubtedly be in my Top Albums of 2011 list.
I will play a couple of tracks by them in this weeks upcoming episode. So stay tuned.
If you would like to hear some tracks from their previous album, check out episode 115 of The Americana Rock Mix right HERE.
Here is The Mallett Bros. Band's music video for "Low Down" For more info from The Mallet Bros. Band, go to www.MallettBrothersBand.com
In this episode I have my first guest since settling down in Florida. Bryan Childs (AKA AutopsyIV) from NineBullets.net stops by and has a beer (or 5) with me as we do a catalog retrospective of Suburban Home Records.
- Bad Days Ahead AND Postcard And Apologies (Two Cow Garage cover) by I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch The House! (from Sounds Of Dying) www.ICanLickAnySOB.com
- History With History AND Bad Kreuznach by Drag The River (from 2010 Demons)
Tired & Fired AND Me & Joe Drove Out To California by Drag the River (from It's Crazy) www.DragTheRiver.com
- What Dying Is For AND Soundtrack To My Summer by Two Cow Garage (from Sweet Saint Me)
- Swingset Assassin by Two Cow Garage (from Speaking In Cursive) www.TwoCowGarage.com
