Cursive - The Ugly Organ
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Free Music Notes for The Ugly Organ
Free Music Review: The Worst is Over
Hit: 5 Stars
With gritty, gorgeous songs that make use of the band's advanced musicianship as well as singer Tim Kasher's ability to craft melodies and lyrics, Cursive has created a truly jaw-dropping album in "The Ugly Organ". It is a tightly-wound concept album, and more amazingly, Kasher's second consecutive concept album (his other is the equally wonderful yet different "Album of the Year" with The Good Life).
"The Ugly Organ" begins with (what else but) the sounds of an organ, played in quite an ugly manner, and one can make out screams in the background, conveying the feeling of being at some sort of evil carnival. This sets the tone for the rest of the album, hardly a happy romp. "Some Red Handed Slight of Hand" introduces the material: "And now we proudly present/ Songs perverse and songs of lament". He pretty much hit the nail on the head with that description, telling tales of loss, mourning the failure of his marriage in a way that most times remains compelling without sounding too over-dramatic.
But the real value of "The Ugly Organ" lies in its musicality. With the addition of a cello, the music has a larger, more orchestral scope than that of most other rock bands. The album flows, ranging in dynamics from the whispered "The Recluse" to the pounding first half of "A Gentleman Caller". They play with various rhythms, tempos, and dynamics on both "Harold Weathervein" and "Bloody Murderer". Themes are tied together as Kasher makes reference to "The Ugly Organ" more than once (a title which in itself is a perverse metaphor). More noticeably, in the final minutes of the epic closer "Staying Alive", a chorus of overdubbed voices sings the theme from the second half of "A Gentleman Caller" repeating time and time again: "The worst is over". This acts as a recapitulation for an album that should be viewed as a singular work, not just a grouping of songs. Despite the bitterness that abounds, these resonating words give way to hope, and in this way Cursive transcends your typical immature rock band.
Free Music Review: A smack in the face - where the hell did THIS come from?!?
Hit: 5 Stars
"Cursive" was one of a large number of random band names I essentially picked out of a hat and downloaded songs from. Four or five individual songs, all off this album, ended up on my computer, and while I was drawn to "The Recluse" especially for it's beautiful criss-crossing guitar lines and "Butcher the Song" for it's weird avant metal vibe, overall I was a bit skeptical; "Indie" and "emo" bands come hard to me, former metalhead and current experimental-/post-rock geek.
However I went out on a limb eventually and just bought the dang thing, and was completely blown out of my socks. This music has intense emotional impact. The music, while not technically astounding, is amazingly well thought out, clever, and catchy. Everything is appropriate, everything works. Also, the cello adds a very unique and interesting element to the music.
One of the biggest shocks for me was Tim Kasher's lyrics - I've almost never seen lyrics this emotionally honest, biting, personal, articulate and intelligent; "No use to keep a secret/everything I hide ends up in lyrics" indeed. His voice while sounding a bit untrained and rough, works perfectly with this emotionally naked approach to music.
Highlights include "Art is Hard," featuring a classical-sounding chord turnaround during the verses and a bit of a swing feel. Also, the desperate "Recluse" as previously mentioned, the exhuasted "Driftwood," and the climax of the album, "Sierra." From here, the album drifts away in a bittersweet maelstrom of resignation (also known as "Staying Alive," a great closer among great closers.)
Lowlights? None, for me, although the dissonant "Butcher the Song" might rub a strictly pop-minded person the wrong way. Indie snobs might also decide that the "Ugly Organ" motif found throughout the album's lyrics is too pretentious. To these people I say - "get laid, chill out, and enjoy the friggin music!"
Free Music Review: Lightyears beyond Domestica
Hit: 5 Stars
With all the dissonance in their great previous album Domestica it seems easy to label them a more emotionally driven modern Fugazi, but with this album Cursive forms their own identity unlike anyone else.
The album shows off every part of Tim Kasher's personality in a way the break up spat Domestica could not. Here you will find every personality trait including self loathing, sadness, hesitation about selling out, difficulty with relationships, and even a little tenderness; If they had come out in the depression soaked early 90s they would have been huge.
A lot of people refer to this as Emo. Now I have no idea what that means, but I get the impression that Emo applies to poppy screaming bands putting on a front of sadness to seem deep and artistic, whereas I believe every word Tim Kasher says here. The album is much closer to punk I think, contrasting extreme dissonance with beautiful classical strings for a very unique sound. The album closer "Staying Alive" is both at the same time, is a great epic, and is one of the great songs here.
I like almost every song here which I can't say for Domestica. Here the consistent quality of tracks like "Some Red Handed Sleight of Hand", "Art Is Hard", "The Recluse", "Driftwood", and Sierra" is amazing. I'm at the point where if I can find one amazing track on an album I'm satisfied, but to have six here means you need to hear this if you have ever liked Fugazi, Sonic Youth, or the harder edged parts of Nirvana. As far as albums that go knee deep into depression before having an incredibly inspiring final song, there are few competitors with "The Ugly Organ".
You could keep listening to safe music the rest of your life, or you could listen to something that finds the beauty in ugliness, and I think I'll go with the latter.
Free Music Review: A new favorite
Hit: 5 Stars
I may not be the best judge of Cursive as a band as this is the first album (and only album so far) that i've heard by them. I love bands from Cap'n Jazz and Fugazi to Leonard Cohen and Lou Reed...and far more. I recently bought my first Q and not U CD and i was blow away, thinking this was some of the best post-punk i've heard since the Dismemberment plan (both Dischord record bands) Then i heard The Ugly Organ and it hasn't left the CD player for any other CD's since. This album has some of the same dynamic that i absolutly couldn't get enough of in Refused's greatest album (The Shape of Punk to Come - if you haven't heard it you really need to listen to it.) And i can almost hear Godspeed You Black Emperor coming to life in some of these songs...but to be fair, Cursive has nothing to do with any of these references (as far as i know), they just serve to illustrate some of the dynamics that are created with a mixing of classic string instruments and guitars. In my opinion this is absolute Genious. I'm almost tentative to try their older stuff, as imaging hearing them without the cello makes me want to cry, it adds so much deepth and power. In truth, my first listen all the way through this CD brought me to tears in multiple places. I'd have to say my favorite song is Gentlemen Caller - and really the first half of the song is very angular it is almost ugly, but the second half is so incredibly beautiful, and without each half complimenting the other; neither would be that great. I wish i could write this kind of music, mine still sounds like modest mouse (but worse obviously). Sorry for all the tangents, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ALBUM FOR THOSE INTO THIS KIND OF POST-PUNK/EMO/INDIE sound. (even though i hate lables)Free Music Review: A Beautiful Sound from The Ugly Organ
Hit: 5 Stars
Why has this CD not been better publicized? It is amazing, artistic, and everything that music should be. Perhaps the reason it is not incredibly well known is because it isn't quite rock nor is it quite emo. It is hard to categorize.
The song Art is Hard is an excellent commentary on the uniformity of popular music. It serves as proof that this band does not play for the radio and probably not for fans either; they play for themselves.
Despite the fact that The Ugly Organ cannot be truly categorized, it is quite universal. Anyone who has ever suffered in a relationship whether they be the dumper or the dumpee can relate to the lyrics. The songs are quite pessimistic but they are not presented as whiney like so many popular bands. They're candid and mature.
The vocals are not perfection, but they quickly grow on the audience. They're presented with the appropriate emotion and carry incredible lyrics throughout the CD.
The album seems to be somewhat experimental but what is used works. A cello and an organ accompany the traditional guitar, bass, and drums. Some of the music played is played in the negative transitions between songs. Some songs like Butcher the Song and A Gentleman Caller read like a musical. In fact, the CD liner notes include cues and pieces of script between the lyrics to narrate the underlying story in the music. The CD is better when read along to. What all of these elements form is a very creative contribution to the music world.
The Ugly Organ is filled with songs of regret and songs of sad inevitability but it does not end on a melancholy note like one might expect. The end is optimistic and thoughtfully aware of a sad past.