The Good Life - Novena on a Nocturn
(Better Looking)
Anyone who believed that all the aging emo frontmen would follow the lead
of Antarctica and others and turn their gazes directly to their shoes are
now officially wrong. All those effects pedals were sold back months ago
as the now less-young emo kids have turned to a purer sound and a more
singer/songwriter vibe. Joining Super XX Man and AM/FM is Tim Kasher of
Cursive, and Novena on a Nocturn is the debut album of his solo project
The Good Life, representing 12 years of songs Kasher wrote on the side,
dolled up and re-recorded earlier this year.
The Good Life ends up sounding like a cross between fellow Nebraskan
Bright Eyes and Eric Bachmann's recent ballad-based solo project Crooked
Fingers. Kasher's voice, much like those two other guys, is
consistently strained, and, while that may take away from its tonal
qualities, it makes Kasher's words more charged and makes the songs'
emotions seem more real. Kasher's lyrics read like poetic diary entries,
forgoing choruses for a more direct means of conveying his feelings.
Kasher is less skilled than Bright Eyes' Connor Oberst at pulling the
listener into his mind and relating his fears and feelings; his voice
and lyrics are strong enough, but his fears and pain themselves
seem less visceral and awesome, like something the listener can
relate to on merely a superficial level but not something for which
to feel great sadness, sympathy, or pity. His topics, namely his
detachment from his mother and his failed relationships, are valid and
are presented honestly, but none of his revelations here will make the
listener gasp in astonishment or wallow in grief.
The quality of the music on this release varies quite a bit and is the
major reason the album does not come more highly recommended.
Several songs, like "Your Birthday Present" and "What We Fall For When We're
Already Down," combine electric guitar, keyboards, and drums to create
melodies and texture that meld well with the vocals. However, many of the
other songs uses the instruments more for just texture, making those songs
seem thin.
|
