Eggshells – A Spiral
If you want to make sure that you destroy a young artist, make sure to fill their mind up with other people’s expectations of what they should do. That’s the closest you can get to guaranteeing a lifetime of neurosis.
These expectations are one of the reasons why many musicians play so many notes, or dress their songs up in such fanciful production. Just like children who never received the appropriate amount of affection from their parents, these musicians will keep chasing an illusion – a moment where critics will turn around and bestow upon them the title of serious musician.
What a joy it must be not to be burdened by things like this? What a luxury it is to be playful, but score achievements just the same? That’s what Eggshells managed to do. And their blend of lo-fi alt-rock and trip-hop works as a kind of voluntary ego death for musicians whose instincts, naturally, are to add more musical information.
In fact, what makes “A Spiral” so startling is just how sparse the instrumental parts are and how, with the exception of the lead vocal parts, there’s little to indicate that this is a modern song and not one from the 1990s. All of these things work in the band’s favour. This emotional lo-fi pop has a story to tell, and the artists are smart enough not to let their own tales interfere with it.
Phil Conine – Honey Patch
Anyone involved with music, whether in a business capacity or just as a fan, is looking for the next Beatles, Dylan, or just an artist whose music will mean so much to them that they won’t be able to refrain from listening to it for the rest of their lives.
But that’s a mighty tall order. T-shirts will need to be printed, ordered and worn. Friends will need to be told of this development and convinced to tag along to the artist’s live shows. Special messages of praise will need to be posted online.
The business of falling in love with an artist is all rather exhausting. Besides all of this, most of these artists will demand an enormous amount of attention and devotion. Before you know, you’ll be looking at album artwork with a magnifying glass and trying to find clues.
It’ll be easy to find a place in your heart for Phil Conine’s “Honey Patch,” however. It’s music that doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s a nice treat in between meals. “Honey Patch” sounds like what a clear-headed and overly-optimistic Grateful Dead might have recorded. It’s sweet, breezy and memorable. And, maybe, most importantly, it’s no hassle to enjoy.
