I cannot stop listening to this album. Spencer Krug is one of the hardest working dudes in indie rock. Current bands: Wolf Parade, Frog Eyes, Sunset Rubdown, and (likely a one off) Swan Lake. Random Spirit Lover is an obtuse, baroque masterpiece, like much of his earlier stuff, but this album really transcends all my expectations. Vaguely fantastical lyrics mostly seemingly chosen for how they will sound coming from his yelping maw, this album kills me every single time I hear it. Standout tracks include the opener, "The Mending of the Gown", which includes the doozy:
"It was the tender mending of this slender gown that brought me bending to the ground."
And then from the ?Irish Sea Shanty? "Upon Your Leapord, Upon the End of Your Feral Days."
"‘Cause you’re the one who’s riding around on a leopard; (ba-da-dum)
You’re the one who’s throwing dead birds in the air.
And you’re the one whose wild hide will weather
In the weathering days
To a leather made soft
So princes can lay down their princely white heads! OF HAIR!
Say goodbye…
Say goodbye to your feral days.
Say goodbye—bye-bye-bye.
Your highness is holding your chains."
Listen for ramshackle glockenspiel, piano, cymbal crashes, and noodly guitar.
A masterpiece that threatens to capsize from pretentiousness, but doesn't quite. Impossible to do it justice without a listen. Glorious.
Tracks (from Jagjaguwar)
"Upon Your Leopard, Upon The End of Your Feral Days"
"Winged/Wicked Things"
BONUS TRACKS!
From Swan Lake's Jagjaguwar release "Beast Moans"
Find them HERE
"All Fires" - I heard this track more than many others last year.
"The Freedom" - Dan Bejar (Destroyer) wounds my soul.
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