Cursive are Living in Domestica
A Review of Their 3rd Album on Indie Stalwart, Saddle Creek Records
Oct 2, 2009
Divorces are difficult to talk about for most people, let alone sing about on a nightly basis to packed clubs full of strangers. This is obviously not the case for singer/songwriter Tim Kasher who, in 2000, took the collapse of his marriage and redirected its psychological toll into the tracks found on Domestica, the most critically lauded and experimental album of their career to date.
Cursive Compose the Pieces of a Broken Marriage
As with most commercially viable forms of catharsis, these themes and their accompanying melodies are not going to appeal to everyone upon a casual first listen. The vocals surge from raspy howls to plaintive gasps at a moments notice while Tim and fellow guitarist (and new edition) Ted Steven's distorted jags come to life only to stiffen abruptly; a potential riff in the grasp of a coronary. Thankfully, the off kilter groundwork they build is tethered in by the rhythm section of long time band mates Matt Maginn and Clint Schnase, who do their best to keep the flailings inviting.
Just Because They're Pop Songs, Don't Think You're Getting Off Light
This is not easy music. These are not easy subjects to listen to. No one is ever going to confuse song titles like The Game of Who Needs Who the Worst and The Night I Lost the Will to Fight as potential backdrop music for a buddy's bachelor party. There's never going to be anyone who reads the lyrics "depressed in her bosom, tears roll off her nipple," from The Martyr, and bump it during the opening minutes of their sister's giddy and pastel ridden baby shower (actually, that could happen).
This is, however, a raucous honesty of the first order. Nine songs that, in thirty-two beautifully harrowing minutes, are able to encapsulate a young couple's disentegration and what is left of the man who remains.
Domestica Brings a Divisive Classic for the Ages
It's angry, it's heartfelt, it pummels, and it pleads, but it remains one of those albums that is able to captivate purely through will of spirit alone. Some will find it's lyrical depth enticing, while some will undoubtedly cling to its rhythmic meandering & herky jerky jams. Others will write it off as another crew of aging emos who can't get the heartsick monkey off their back.
This is an album in which there will always be a strong opinion, both for and against its self indulgent purgings.Cursive has chosen to walk that road for now, but at least they brought a fine playlist along for the trip back, broken home as it may now well be.
RECOMMENDED CUTS: The Lament of Pretty Baby, The Radiator Hums
Cursive's Homepage and Myspace
OTHER INDIE MUSIC REVIEWS - Dead Man's Bones - Self Titled (2009)
 |
