Papa M - Three Songs
(Drag City)
As if Papa M's recent direction towards somber folk tunes were not a
downer enough, the newest single is guaranteed to bring the room down
based on its cover art alone: David Pajo photographed in Brooklyn with the
smoldering remains of lower Manhattan belching smoke into the strangely
clear sky behind him. So, from this point, the music can only go up.
The first and last songs are of the folky singer-songwriter variety
featured on Whatever, Mortal and are of comparable quality. The
first, "Rainbow of Gloom," is very intimate and sounds as it could have
easily fit right in on that record. It's a simple tune, played on
acoustic guitar, with a very subtle second guitar adding small flourishes,
an almost imperceptible cello, and harmonica between the verses. The
third song, "Lo the Rose Cease to Bloom," is the strongest song of the
three, and features the acoustic guitar, a faint electric guitar, and Pajo
harmonizing with himself on a second vocal track. It's a sad and
beautiful tune with lyrics of love and loss that really captures the time
worn feel of traditional music, with a plaintive melody reminiscent of old
hymns.
The second song, "O Kentucky," is, however, the standout. It is markedly
different from the other two songs in both style and feel. After a simple
piano introduction, and strummed acoustic guitar, the song is overtaken by
fully electrified guitar and bass, keyboards, and even some drums. Also,
whereas the other songs seem very personal and intimate, "O Kentucky" has
a broad, expansive melody, that soars with pride and hope. This song is
what ties the record together, in light of the cover art, as if the
selection of material is a mirror reflecting what is depicted in the cover
art: an experience of deep pain and loss, and the effort to not be
overwhelmed by hopelessness.
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