TALL MARY
"When Will I Find Something New" (Self-produced;
2024)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Sometimes you just need something different to clear the old aural tubes, am I right? Something to sweep out the musical hallways of your mind, gather those guitar/bass/drums bits and pieces, scoop them into a dustbin, and dump them into the trash. Make room for something new. At least for a moment or two.
Well, Tall Mary's here for you with their "When Will I Find Something New" album. "Different" is too mild a word for the music on this album. It's art rock, art music, some of which may remind you of early Pink Floyd (perhaps, more specifically, Roger Waters), some that might bring to mind the late, great Lou Reed or David Bowie, and some that is purely and beautifully unique. And it's all just utterly fascinating. It's a journey through the musician's mind (here, Cole Klassen and friends) and it plays out through spoken-word vocals, cries of anguish, insightful lyrics and hypnotic music that swirls around in your head long after the tune has finished.
According to their Bandcamp site, "When Will I Find Something New" "centers on being seen as a trans or gnc person in our brutal society. Many of us came out during the comfortable distance of lockdown and Zoom meetings. With the return to 'in-person' came the violent seeing, and it was like the shock of a cold lake. As we desperately transform into something new while our current systems fail, the watchers remind us of our old place in society and cancel the future." The emotion of that journey can clearly be felt throughout the 17-track album.
Look, I know this isn't the kind of music you usually read about here on RoughEdge.com. It's not Van Halen, it's not Iron Maiden, it's not the Ramones. But it is a compelling and effective look into another person's mind and heart and definitely worth a listen.
For more information, check out https://tallmary.bandcamp.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
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Copyright © 2024 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
