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Sometimes an album comes along that completely redefines my outlook
on the rock and roll world. Paul Brill has created this
year's winner for that distinctive honor. New Pagan Love Song
approaches music with a strangely neurotic and genius-class brilliance.
The songs run the gamut from soft and psychotic to loud and full
of carefully crafted insanity. But, the thing that sets this album
apart from some late teen angst record is the sheer magnitude
of beauty and careful crafting of each and every song.
The album begins with possibly one of the most beautiful songs
of the year, "Trindade", with its ephemeral and haunting
electronics underscoring delicately delivered cleverly mad lyrics.
" I hit my head, and I lost my memory/ I broke my hand, on
the side of your face/ And I don't need memories, memories are
lies/ And I can't remember most things besides falling down/ And
waiting in line…" Then Brill kicks in his Clash
influenced rock with "Weekday Bender", a song that carries
itself along a nicely lilting and somewhat drunken pop groove.
It's very pleasant to listen to, until the deranged lyrical content
begins to grab you by the neck and slowly squeeze. "Lay down
Your Weary Head" jerks its way along with strangely hypnotic
rhythm lines and haunting violin lines, reminiscent of John
Cale's middle works. "Indian Summer" is a fine example
of Brill's more experimental tracks. It is haunting and spare
in its arrangement, almost seeming not a song at all.
Truth of the matter is this folks… You'll be hard pressed
to find a better record this year by an artist that you more than
likely have never had the chance to hear. Self-describing his
music as "electricana", Paul Brill delivers handily
on all fronts. Musically, lyrically, and creatively, you have
my promise that you won't be able to turn this record off…
Unless of course, you are a boring, mindless drone. In which case…
here's the new Britney Spears record for you.
-Embo Blake
Track Listing:
1. Trindade
2. Weekday Bender
3. Everything I Believe In
4. Comeback Kid
5. Lay down your Weary Head
6. Powerlines
7. Indian Summer
8. Daylight Scars
9. Desert Song
10. New Pagan Love Song
11. The Troubled Life Of Herschel Grimes
Blood In, Blood Out
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