>Al & Del - Poppies of Fourteen
I can’t even figure a genre here, but I could hazard a dozen or so: indie rock (in tropes), bluegrass, twee pop, contemporary folk, traditional folk—in large amounts. Psych rock, free jazz, ambient electronica and sound collages, (maybe) gospel even—trace amounts. Goes without saying that genre is ill-suited for describing this music, even cursorily. So, comparatively? it kinda sounds like twee Tom Waits, or maybe Guided by Voices’ demented sailor cousin. It’s not quite outsider, but inside might be a stretch. Like, a few of the instruments could very well be played by muppets. It’s got that awkward quality to it for sure, so in my love of metaphor, let’s just say it’s got one foot out the door.
And now there are a lot of songs here, but this album is living proof that even if you have shit aim, with enough darts you’ll probably hit the bullseye a few times. And boy do they miss a lot here. Most of the songs definitely drag, as per the prior metaphor, but some are honestly pretty great. And the few bullseyes? Oh man, even just the way he says “electricity” on “Eko for Cocker” sends a sliver of a shiver down my spine. Goosebumps. The works. “Not Now for Noddy”, “Camel Pox”, “Flaccid Flowers”, all stellar tracks too, and I’m sure I’m forgetting a few more also worthy of particular note.
Really a remarkably unique and memorable album with some interesting, awkward, and quirky songwriting, but too many of the songs were misses imo. Of the 29 songs here, probably five or six are great, and maybe two are hair-raisingly good. Maybe check this album out just for the opener?
>6/10
I've enjoyed what Walt Dickerson I've heard so I'm definitely checking that out, and I'll be sure to get a hold of the rest. Thanks for the recs man.
oh thank you kind young man
