Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Favorite Albums of 2017 Number 6 - Larkin Poe's Peach


I'm usually most impressed by music that sounds like it's off the cuff, unassuming and with little in the way of fancy production. The DIY aesthetic of the most underground punk is one extreme of this, but it all stems from my love of more traditional music, regardless of the origin - folk music. Whether it's the traditional Latin American boleros I grew up with or the blues I got into in my teens, the sound of a couple of people with guitars and a feeling to share is the most amazing thing to me. Larkin Poe have brought this idea into the 21st century with their Tip o' the Hat series of covers on YouTube and their latest album Peach.

Featuring a mix of traditional blues covers and original songs, the album was entirely recorded and produced by Rebecca and Megan Lovell playing all instruments. It's a blend of organic instruments, drum programming, synths and simple editing tricks that captures that same feeling of two people in a room with guitars, but throws in a laptop without losing the urgency. All the attention is on the music, with arrangements that are stripped down but complex and feel fresh. It's all folk music, music of the people. Music that should feel like anyone could pick up an instrument and just play it. And while hip hop already showed us that this could mean a turntable or mixer and electronica artists have been making bedroom albums, this album is a great blend of these more modern takes with the more traditional. On top of that, this record was completed in one long weekend.

Robert Johnson's "Come on in My Kitchen," opens the album with a literal invitation to see what the sisters have cooked up. It's a minimalist take on the song, which I very much prefer to bands that electrify and over-complicate the blues for no reason. It's a demonstration of how these ladies respect their roots. The songs alternate between covers and originals that aren't all so obviously rootsy, giving everything a truly timeless feel. A classic like Son House's "Preachin' Blues" oozes funk in a way that is different from but still reverent of the original. Originals like "Freedom" and "Cast 'Em Out" show off how well the ladies can make these traditions their own, incorporating classic blues and gospel styles while remaining fresh and relevant. Then there are songs like "Look Away," "Pink & Red" and "Wanted Woman/AC/DC" which mix things up by going more modern and heavier without going overboard or sounding out of context. The juxtapositions work incredibly well and are all anchored by two of the most talented and dedicated guitar players, singers and all around musicians currently working. 

The album ends even more stripped down than it started with a haunting hand claps and foot stomp version of "Tom Devil" that is begging to be used in a movie. This is an expression of artistry and tribute that pushes Larkin Poe into a whole new dimension of their career. They know the roots of the music they love, they have deconstructed it and put it back together in their own way. Whatever they do next I'm in.

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