Dude, Where's My Update? #7
In which I try my very best not to yell about tariffs, plug some sick music, and review some too!
Fieldmouse Press, the publishing arm of SOLRAD (the comics journal I occassionally write for,) is raising money for their upcoming season of comics. Because of the tarrifs - nonsensical sanctions by any other name - the books are going to cost way more and that's impacted SOLRAD's publishing schedule too (they pay an honorarium for each piece.) You can read more at the gofundme they've set up for
If you have the funds, consider giving them a donation. Better yet, consider supporting the crowdfundr campaign and get the books. I've been reading their slate for years and they always pick something interesting, even if I don't always like it.
Cursed Words
Last week, I had the pleasure of hearing the Curse Words Concept Album live. It wasn’t something I planned on doing, as I’m not much of a concert person (I have sensitive ears and an exceptionally awkward disposition in unfamiliar places.) However, when the opportunity to drive ten minutes and check out the practice session presented itself, I couldn’t exactly say no.
For those unaware, Charles Soule and Ryan Browne did a kickstarter for a very nice hardcover omnibus of their series “Curse Words” a few years back. It did well. ($142,155 pledged of a $25,000 goal.) So well, in fact, that Charles promised to make a concept album based on the comic. A 10 track album retelling the story of Wizord the Wizard, Syzygy, Margaret, Jacques Zacques, Ruby Stitch, etc.
It took a while to make. Okay. Quite a while to make, but come out it did. It even had its own kickstarter for a limited run of vinyl! To celebrate, I presume, Charles is taking it on tour. Kinda. There are two showings, one in NYC on April 9th at The Delaney and one on the 12th, C2E2 weekend, in Chicago at Logan’s Arcade. Details in the links.
Promos aside, what did I think of it?
“It’s the best, most rocking show in the world. You need to get on a plane to C2E2 THIS INSTANT to catch it in person or you will forever regret it.”
…Charles asked me to say something to that effect as my review. I do not want to disappoint Mr. Soule.
What do I really think? I have two real answers. The first is, if you like “Curse Words,” you’ll like the album. If you don’t, or don’t know it, you’ll like it as well, but you’ll probably find the lyrics to be a little baffling and a little awkward. Such is the life of most story-heavy concept albums.
As for the quality of the songs, they didn’t blow me away (sorry Charles.) Nerd rock often will do that. It’s a special genre that I cherish because it’s cheesy and niche and very, very specific. The buy-in is more in the what and the who than in the sound or the feel. The “Curse Words Concept Album’s” greatest failing is that it’s functionally a character anthology with a framing narrative, and for a story as layered and silly and complicated as “Curse Words,” too much has to be jettisoned. The narrative is loose, the lyrics are very on the nose, and it could have used more harmonies and instrumental interplay. A far cry from the gold standard nerd concept album “The Protomen.”
There is a great variety of sound, however. Each song riffs on a different rock or rock-adjacent genre (hair-metal, 90s rap ala Beastie Boys, blues, beak rock, ska, power ballad) and the music itself hits the right beats (heh.) The storytelling is clearer through the song’s motions; you can tell where you are in the story from their moods. My favorite song was probably “Revelations,” though “Jacques Zacques Rock” was a lot of fun. “Hole New World” has been stuck in my head on and off since, “The Ballad Of Ruby Stitch” had a killer instrumental bridge, song 5, “Team Margaret,” had some sweet licks, and the rhythm on “TIGERS!” was driving and fun. Tigers are made for war!
I’m not a music critic, despite a pretty solid foundation of music theory, so take that with some large hunks of salt. It’s also not fair of me to judge the songs on a practice performance in a small bar with travel equipment and a hostile crowd. Not an ideal space to be sure, though using that as an across-the-board defense is to ignore this type of venue’s traditional role as a fiery testing ground.
And it’s important to remember, the intent of the project was to make something fun and condensed out of a wild, weird, sprawling, emotional, goofy comic and flex a different kind of creative muscle. That it works at all is damn impressive and that it worked this well is even more impressive.
The second answer is, if you can see it live, you’ll have a damn fun time. I had a blast, even if I couldn’t feel my ears by the end (see: ears, sensitive.) Charles, Jorge, Mark, and Angelo aka Charles Soule and The Nine played their hearts out through nerves to a very distracted and thin audience who were definitely not there to see them; I couldn’t tell if the band won anyone over or if everyone who was bobbing along either knew the band members personally or was, like me, a comic fan who lived close by.
It took a couple songs for them to find their groove, which was thrown off by a heckler in the back. Considering the competence of the performance, his exclamations for them to “go practice in their garage” was baffling. I have heard bad music and bad performers. These musicians and their music are not bad. Anyone who stayed for the second set of “songs you’ve heard before” knows that’s hogwash of the highest order.
Being here, instead of at the main concerts surrounded by a friendly crowd who are already locked in, was an experience reminiscent of what I think being a comics fan used to feel like. Weirdos and outcasts making art that speaks to us, putting our whole selves out there, knowing for most people it’ll sail right past them but for the ones who get it, they really get it…but it also made me yearn to be in a room full of people, grooving to the beats, and crying out “shazoom!” together with reckless abandon and no concern for self-consciousness.
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Rok and Roll
Why did no one tell me that "Kaya" by Wes Craig was this good? I knew it was good but, like, damn. Classic sword and sorcery dystopian future. Each arc is treated like a book but is also a serial. I love it so much and I'm mad I'm caught up. Wes Craig you mad lad.
Links I like
I'm a big, big fan of YouTube channel The First Take.It's the equivalent of an "unplugged" performance on the radio: pseduo-live, special renditions by an artist of their songs. The channel has exposed me to a number of really great artists from all sorts of genres and eras and they recently had on classical pianist Hayato Sumino who played this really cool version of Ravel's Boléro.
