LOCAL ALBUMS
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The thematic power of The Great Unraveling stands up and answers to the ugliness and horror that we have witnessed in 2020. And the themes gain power as they intertwine lyrically throughout. A whole is woven even as different Purdies are credited for different songs. “Morning Glory” is a sweet and gentle opener that makes a simple statement against misogynist entitlement. “Why Awful Purdies would I be small?” uses a child’s The Great Unraveling question to discuss the imporAWFULPURDIES.COM tance of growth and prizing your uniqueness, taking up space withhe Awful Purdies’ new release, The Great Unraveling out taking it from others. “In the Dust” is a stark, beautiis a defining statement for these accomplished musicians who com- ful meditation on reconciling loss, bine their strengths, with wearied when memory becomes a venom that leaves you breathless. The tijoy, to perform miracles. tle track, “The Great Unraveling,” The songs are timely and timeallows Marcy Rosenbaum’s warm less. The album is proud but not boastful, strong but not brutal, both voice to create a holding space, wise and playful. The sheer quality inviting you to join her in confronting the changing world with of the material and the musicians’ “arms wide open and with fists deep understanding of the great held tight.” American songbook allow the The songs are art before they songs to feel familiar even on iniare politics, so never stray into tial listen. The Purdies have taken another step forward both sonically didacticism; however, because they’re real, they also stay far and lyrically to become leaders in from any fantasy. The result is a the Americana music scene. The album is a different kind of catchy album that happens to be about climate change, oppression, new, resisting discardable novelty friendship, solitude, anger, food to mine the earth of tradition and and joy. The final track, “Dragging voice songs that reflect 2020’s tuHope,” provides a perfect conclumult of social upheaval. sion for the year: When you canThe genius of the Purdies, exnot see what good things might be pressed throughout their career, is ahead, drag hope behind you. their unflinching commitment to The album is resolutely upliftbeauty through collaboration. They achieve greatness by inviting others ing. There are songs of empowto share in it. Their folk roots make ered celebration, and the joy of being alive erupts and sparkles the tendency to gesture toward injustice a natural fit, and their un- consistently throughout the whole. flinching feminism is a foundation To hear this album and to really listen gives a lesson in how to be a for their unwavering generosity. better human in each facet of life. They’re capable of potent magic. Although nothing will beat watchThe instrumentation on The ing the Purdies perform live, this Great Unraveling is tight and insoundtrack provides emotional novative, and the harmonies have and spiritual guidance through the never sounded better. The instruremainder of the great unraveling ments shine in different moments; whether solo or as a flourish in the yet to occur, until they come tobackground, instruments and vocals gether again. —Daniel Boscaljon contribute to the wholeness of each song.
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Bob Bucko Jr You Deserve a Name PERSONALARCHIVES.BANDCAMP.COM
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ob Bucko Jr is a busy fellow. The Dubuque-based artist has carved out a niche for himself in experimental circles nationwide, largely due to frequent touring and a tireless release schedule through his own Personal Archives imprint. He’s been involved in a number of projects in 2020, including a guest spot on New Standards Men’s masterful drone/space rock epic I Was a Starship, and releases of his own with Sex Funeral, One More Final I Need You, and Arc Numbers (due next year). One of his latest works is You Deserve a Name, a solo album loosed on the world in October. As he describes it: “[Name] was a series of ‘meditations’ recorded live to tape in April. Definitely informed by the uncertainty of everything going on back then (and now) ... All the tracks are undergirded by a drone in G, with different elements (sax, oscillators, samples, etc.) playing off that tone.” Name is a six-part session divided into four 15-minute-plus tracks. Its contents are alternately moody and moodless, shifting between calmness and dread at unexpected intervals. Bare EFX-sax and synth build into walls of noise that take hold without overpowering. The soundscapes switch from hideous to musical, organic to mechanical, evoking everything from synthetic cat sounds to robotic banshee shrieks.
The still moments don’t rest long enough to soothe, and the noise builds towards catharsis but never fully explodes. A bit of odd humor creeps in near the end, with a sample from a bird-watching video. The wooden dialogue and PSA narration is eventually lost to the racket, but not before its own tone shifts with the music from comical to darkly surreal: “The blue jay is so aggressive, it has been known to attack fullgrown cats invading its territory,” intones the narrator, as the clamor rises anew. “... the blue jay serves as an early warning system to other birds when there is a predator in its territory. Its raucous cry sounds the alarm almost instantly”—here the sample is devoured by the sinister burble of the oscillator, echoing the screaming bird. The audible narration is sucked into the instrumental undertow as the track (and album) slowly peters out into a bleak wash of dying electro-tones. Despite the pervading uneasiness, the “meditative” description is not misleading. The channeler explains: “I use the term meditations in sincerity, though I think a lot of people may find the discordant or loud parts and textures off-putting for that kind of thing. But for me, the tension and complications are part of seeing the meditation through. Sort of like an intense mushroom trip that makes you question integral parts of yourself.” In the right setting, this piece of apocalyptic future-jazz could be a tool for psychic navigation. Such works are vital in these times of spiritual warfare. Bob Bucko Jr is like a Zen master who assails his students, and Name is his ugly mandala. Enlightenment is a harsh process. Open your ears and begin. —Loren Thacher
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