The album starts off with strong acoustic guitar notes that give a feeling of lament, which then changes into a sound of distracted happiness, two different melodies that combine and create a feeling of anticipation. The melodies of the record sort of remind me of M. Ward’s, “End of Amnesia.” The songs have slight buildups that make me want and expect a huge orchestrated bridge or ending, but instead there are dwindling melodies or a continuation of the buildup until the song is over. There are very little vocals on this record, a ghostly voice echoing on, “Victorious Secret” and ending with someone saying, “Sorry I fucked up on that one.” To which the other replied in a sort of indifferent voice, “Aoookay.” Sounded pretty good to me too dude. Vocals would be unnecessary with the already strong, singing melodies, and besides, I think it’d be kind of hard to sing along with. Or maybe incredibly fun, but then again I can’t really sing.
Songs I really enjoyed on the album would be “C-thru pinko” which has many mood changes that takes the song into completely different directions, making it seem like you’ve already listened to 3 songs. “C-thru pinko” also gives you a good feel for what the whole record is like, which is that it’s really good! Or you know, really melodic and all that stuff I just described in the previous paragraph.
Another highlight is, “Albatross” and is most likely The Correspondent’s single and popular song. “Albatross” is actually going to be featured in the movie, “We go way back” (http://thefilmcompany.org/WGWB.html). So make sure to check that out.
There were moments where songs would go into staccato mode such as “The Sadist” and “Sea dog, sea robber, sea rover, sea wolf” and it felt like you were in some bar in Mexico or Spain (I’m not sure which or what) and an exotic couple would be dancing the tango or some other kind of complicated rhythmic dance.
If you aren’t absolutely enthralled by this album on the first listen, give it a few more tries and you’ll be shouting out words such as, “Wonderful!” But if you aren’t the shouting type, you will enjoy it and maybe, just maybe think, “Wonderful!”
Essential listening for fans of Jim O’Rourke’s more acoustic moments.
