KRISTIN HERSH –
CROOKED (THROWING MUSIC/FRIDAY BOOKS)
To instigate an
argument between hipsters and heads I used to pose the question: Kristin Hersh
or Chan Marshall? Invariably this was
never a question cleanly answered, there were just too many elements
influencing proceedings such as cred points, age, attraction.
Kristin Hersh is quite
an intimidating character. Coming from
tough origins her ability to remain resilient, relevant and generally around is
the mark of stern and strong stuff. All
along she has retained a look/stare that could kill. And with her words it probably has.
Crooked is the eighth
solo album from Hersh which coupled with so many Throwing Muses records makes
for quite the body of work. And with
that the album comes packaged as a hardback book with amongst lyrics and
artwork an essay by her about each song.
This is not a lazy lady as in construct she also produced the record
while playing all the instruments. Here
is how you multitask.
With time her voice
has deepened reflecting age and the experience that comes with. And as I flick through the book I discover
that she has four sons. This is a
superwoman.
I must admit that I am
surprised when I remove the shrink-wrap and crack open the book to not discover
a disc of any kind inside. This truly is
a different era. So this is how an
artist gets round the end of the physical format.
Lyrically Crooked
feels quite the narrated intrusion as Hersh offers an explicit post-mortem of
testing times at the hands of unhealthy influence. Often it feels like therapy for both the
author and the listener. Lines such as
“you’re very clean, I give up” and “Why put the light on at all” in “Glass”
reveal quite the scenario, quite the situation and intention. Then the delivery of the title track’s
opening “hold the flashlight under your chin, closer as the lights dim” are
some of the darkest words heard all year.
It is on “Sand” when
Hersh skates finest motoring with jangly guitar and stretching vocals all sewn
up with a curling hook that’s contradictory and effective. Musically even if the pace is mostly mid tempo
often there is exhibition that imposing and grand.
With “Moan” she
reaches a unique place sounding like Mazzy Starr covering “If I Think” by
Mudhoney. Meanwhile “Fortune” proves very
conversational and confessional as words come in waves especially with such
statements as “you cost a fortune, you cast a shadow” which is certainly a
sentiment most people can place on a pairing and moment in time.
The eventual outro of
“Rubidoux” serves as an expansive haunting freeway this whisks the listener
away to a conclusion.
Crooked is an
incredible work coming at a much appreciated time. The pain that is transmitted is translated to
electric ends.
Thesaurus moment:
anfractuous.
Throwing Music
Friday Books
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