KRISTIN HERSH – YOUR
GHOST (4AD)
Few pieces of music
manage to paint pain with such clarity and sincerity. The clear narrative of this song is of a
singular conversation replaying a moment, analysing a personal issue in search
of clarity and solace but achieving none.
This is not the winner’s circle, not even the sound of a batter on
deck. The emotion experienced is loss in
a very deep and thoughtful way. The hurt
is key in a most essential way.
After experiencing
crossover success with Throwing Muses Hersh established herself as quite the
force and strong front woman. Her songs
captured a rare take and perspective of damaged moments and exchanges. And lending a helping hand on this release
was Michael Stipe which didn’t harm its chances at all.
“Your Ghost” is a
heavy dose of reflection. These are the
words of a person lost and unable to move on.
Stuck in the past she wages war with the telephone and broken
communication. The desire is there but
not the urge. The reality is that to act
on impulse would be wrong as external motion suggests the other party is no
longer there, no longer receptive. As I
write this there is a person I so want to contact but I know that I shouldn’t
and so I won’t. I can wait in hope for
her to call or message but that does not appease my urge of pace and
suffer. Hersh is amazing in capturing
and sharing this.
A sombre tone
maintains as the twinkling pick of “The Key” with soaring upbeat vocals that
echo and transcend in a wondrous description of an ideal partner. It’s a desire that does not feel sustainable,
one destined and doomed to failure.
By the time the
release reaches the bluesy take on “When The Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin all
issue has been explained if not rectified.
With an acoustic slide guitar certain to impress Jimmy Page there comes
a fresh edge and intellect to the song being delivered in a female voice. This too shall pass.
Quite the host.
Thesaurus moment:
eidolon.
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