Cursive “Mama, I’m Swollen” Review
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Cursive is another band that I could have sworn broke up but I am pleased to report that they have a new drummer (from Engine Down) and a new album with some of their most ambitious material yet.
Momma I’m swollen is definitely high concept with lyrical references to the album artwork or maybe the other way around. Past musical themes are present on this record like the “happy hollow shuffle” but there is plenty of newer ideas as well with even more horns and even some analog synths. Most instruments that aren’t guitar bass or drums sit pretty low in the mix but there are lots of other instruments. The days of Domestica style melodramatic rockers are over it seems.
There is a free track from Saddle Creek called “From The Hips” and it’s got the best line, “we were better off as animals”. This song really questions moralities and regrets and seems to oftentimes throughout the album.
I can’t seem to get over how much different ground Cursive is willing to cover seeing as they had a very Washington D.C. sound and after perfecting it to a science decided to explore other instruments and even a few crossovers now. Who thought when Domestica came out that they ever have a flute on one of their albums?
The overall tone of this album is much mellower which turns out to leave you with an unsettling feeling as the mood is still very present and at time makes you feel like you are guilty of carrying some of Tim Kasher’s baggage yourself. There is a very high production value with lots of overdubs that are sometimes out of tune with the rest of the song. At first it seems like maybe a youtube video is on autoplay in the back ground but as you close all your tabs you realize it’s just production.
The one thing I am mostly curious about is what are they going to do on tour? There are sometimes several instruments playing and multiple parts. Will they strip down the record to the bare essentials or are they planning something more grandoise?
Cursive is playing a ton of sold out dates but nothing that I would call a tour but I am posting them in case you want to take your chances with the scalpers. I would.
Tracklisting
1. In The Now
2. From The Hips
3. I Couldn’t Love You
4. Donkeys
5. Caveman
6. We’re Going To Hell
7. Mama, I’m Satan
8. Let Me Up
9. Mama, I’m Swollen
10. What Have I Done?
Mar 9 2009
8:00PMusic Hall of Williamsburg – SOLD OUT
New York, New YorkMar 10 2009
8:00PBowery Ballroom – SOLD OUT
New York, New YorkMar 12 2009
8:00PSpaceland
Los Angeles, CaliforniaMar 13 2009
8:00PTroubadour – SOLD OUT
Los Angeles, CaliforniaMar 14 2009
8:00PCasbah – SOLD OUT
San Diego, CaliforniaMar 15 2009
8:00PRhythm Room
Phoenix, ArizonaMar 16 2009
8:00PLaunchpad
Albuquerque, New MexicoMar 18 2009
8:00PWhite Rabbit
San Antonio, Texas
Pre-orders can be done at saddle-creek.com
lossie
March 5th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
They have one guy that plays all the horns and the keys now. Saw them in January, and although I’m not sure he can cover everything like on the album, he’s certainly present.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Nice, I can’t wait till they hit Portland, I’m gonna try to get a sit down with Tim.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Not that I’m totally impressed, but this is a lot more than I expected for when I stumpled upon a link on Digg telling that the info is awesome. Thanks.
May 1st, 2009 at 10:51 am
I hear a lot of their tour with the cure coming into their sound here. Still good but chris is now justified in thinking they aren’t rawk