My admiration for Tim Kasher‘s output with both The Good Life and Cursive has grown with each release so when the latter band released ‘Mama, I’m Swollen‘ back in March I was clearly excited.
On this latest effort the Omaha frontman has managed to combine the best qualities of his two outfits to produce what is essentially a snapshot of his ideas circa 2009. Losing drummer Clint Schnase would have been a major blow to any band but his replacement was formidable back in July and and shines on these tracks as well.
Still the arrangements on this release are a little less bombastic than those that characterised much of 2006’s ‘Happy Hollow‘. Instead the band opted for more dynamic changes and almost completely dropped the brass section from the last release and replaced it with more wind instruments that equally as effective.
Though Kasher restrains some of his apocalyptical tendencies reoccuring themes from previous releases, such as nihilistic drinking, religion and rockstar cliches, are revisited as he fights new and old demons.
There are always rumours that Cursive may not reunite again given the band members various extracurricular commitments. Should ‘Mama, I’m Swollen‘ be their last release it would be a fitting testament to the band and their underrated output
TRACKS:
Cursive – I Couldn’t Love You
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