Cougar Microbes

To get over the schmaltzy nature of Valentine’s Day yesterday here is our anti V-day declaration in the spirit of past posts on this site.

Don’t forget we are still in the running for an IPhone 4 giveaway so get your entries in here.

Stars – ‘Your Ex-Lover Is Dead‘

In my mind this track is about that strange, and somewhat satisfying, moment when you have finally chased away the ghosts of a past relationship. Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan’s wonderful vocal interplay is ideal to narrate the track’s bittersweet feel.

The two most telling moments are the hushed tones of the orchestral break down giving the simple reassurance that you’ll “live through this and you won’t look back“. There is still time for one more crescendo framed with the startling realisation: “I’m not sorry I met you, I’m not sorry It’s over, I’m not sorry there’s nothing to say“.

The Good Life – ‘Album Of The Year‘

There are several stellar songs in Tim Kasher‘s repertoire but ‘Album Of The Year‘ is perhaps my favourite of them all. The frontman candidly unleashes what is a seemingly autobiographical tale of a couple disintegrating over a period of 12 month.

the song slowly evolves from the first time that he meets “her” her until the last time he sees “her” rising musically from an an acoustic number to a full Brazilian beat and a final shout-along. It is almost like eavesdropping on someone in a confessional as he lays out candid observations, humour and audible heartbreak.

It is pretty clear that Tim Kasher can do very little wrong in my eyes. Regardless of whether he is throwing his all into a live performance or releasing brilliant records I’m always dazzled by the end product.

It is therefore great news to find out that, whilst Cursive take a deserved but hopefully temporary break, the singer will be releasing his first solo album, ‘The Game Of Monogamy‘, at the start of October.

By the sounds of that title this album is going to explore some of the themes seen in his previous output. Indeed, the release of ’Cold Love‘ as a taster track is not a million miles away from the amazing work displayed with his The Good Life project. Lyrically the track deals with boring sex, couples going through the motions and unsurprisingly relationships that have run their course. Textbook Tim Kasher.

‘The Game Of Monogamy’ is released on Saddle Creek on the 5th of October.

TRACKS:

My admiration for Tim Kasher‘s output with both The Good Life and Cursive has grown with each release so when the latter band released ‘Mama, I’m Swollen‘ back in March I was clearly excited.

On this latest effort the Omaha frontman has managed to combine the best qualities of his two outfits to produce what is essentially a snapshot of his ideas circa 2009. Losing drummer Clint Schnase would have been a major blow to any band but his replacement was formidable back in July and and shines on these tracks as well.

Still the arrangements on this release are a little less bombastic than those that characterised much of 2006′s ‘Happy Hollow‘. Instead the band opted for more dynamic changes and almost completely dropped the brass section from the last release and replaced it with more wind instruments that equally as effective.

Though Kasher restrains some of his apocalyptical tendencies reoccuring themes from previous releases, such as nihilistic drinking, religion and rockstar cliches, are revisited as he fights new and old demons.

There are always rumours that Cursive may not reunite again given the band members various extracurricular commitments. Should ‘Mama, I’m Swollen‘ be their last release it would be a fitting testament to the band and their underrated output

TRACKS:

Cursive – I Couldn’t Love You

NEXT: #05 Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2009: Iran – Dissolver

PREVIOUS: #07 Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2009: Brand New – Daisy

This time last year I was stressed at my party. This year I’m very relaxed at the prospect of my birthday. Thank you all for your messages.

MP3′s:

New End Original – 14-41

The Good Life – Your Birthday Present

New Kids On The Block – Happy Birthday

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