Long time, no blog. Obviously.
But after an extremely busy summer out in Hanover, I’m back home – and moved into the new place in San Jose. So while I do have a decent amount of school work I want to do in the next month before classes start again, and a ton of house stuff (starting the garden, buying furniture, moving all my junk out of storage, etc.) I think I’ll actually have a bit of spare time for sitting in front of the computer and talking about music.
God Help the Girl – God Help the Girl
A Down And Dusky Blonde – God Help the Girl
First on the list is God Help the Girl, the latest Stuart Murdoch project. To be honest, I’m not even completely clear on the details. I think it’s supposed to eventually be a musical film. But the record is already out. And as far as I can tell, it’s the moment when the line between Stephin Merritt and Stuart Murdoch (already blurry) may have completely disappeared.
Which is hardly a bad thing, of course. As much as I enjoyed the old fey Belle and Sebastian, it’s hard to argue that the latest orchestral pop incarnation of Murdoch hasn’t been a good thing. And it’s particularly true this time around – with the revolving cast of singers offering a lot more depth than there might othewise have been. The title track is one highlight – a delicious pop romp that would fit in perfectly on the new Camera Obscura record. But there’s quite a bit more. “Perfection As A Hipster” (with Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy) is a right good time. Then there’s “Come Monday Night” which is one of the prettiest songs Murdoch has put together in quite a while, though “Pretty Eve In the Tub” gives it a run for its money. And while I could do without the dull intro to “Musician, Please Take Heed” the final 2/3 are lightning in a bottle (check out that section at about 2:15 if you don’t believe me).
And the album’s finest moment may be the final two tracks – which provide a capstone – and the hope for a happy conclusion – for all of the passion and energy up until that point. How could anyone listen to the insistent ‘I’ll keep on dancing’ at the end of “I’ll Have To Dance With Cassie” and not feel just a little bit better about the world? Then things wrap up with “A Down And Dusky Blonde” which brings it all together and gives everyone a final chance in the spotlight. It’s the sound of good times coming to an end, full of memories and the hope of a bright new future, but melancholy about the parting of ways. Or rather, it’s the sound of eventful times coming to an end – and the way that all the pain and loss drops away and for just a moment all you can think about is how it felt to be so alive.
Honestly, one of my least favorite songs on the record is the re-make of “Funny Little Frong” – which is odd because I loved the original. As much as I adore the melding of pop and soul on some occasions, I’m just not sure it works for me this time around. “Act of the Apostle” on the other hand manages to improve substantially on the version from The Life Pursuit.
This record has definitely been a grower for me. A month ago I would have said it was a nice album, but wasn’t likely to leave a lasting impression. The more that I listen, the more I think it’s up there with some of the best of Murdoch’s work. Ask me again in four months and maybe I’ll be sure.