Red House Painters (Rollercoaster)

Katy Song has to be one of the most emotionally touching and heartbreaking songs I've ever heard

REVIEW REPOST #088. I repost my old reviews, which got no attention, with updated thoughts. Posted this review a 1.5 years ago, but I'm posting it again.

Before we start, I have to say, it's been quite hard to write this review. You might've noticed the reviews just haven't been as consistent or detailed lately, and they're pretty hard to write at the moment. Can barely even get out of bed due to an extremely heavy depressive period, and I'm also experiencing quite a creative hit, not only musically, but also in terms of writing. So bare with me lol, hopefully, I can get properly back on track soon. I try to push myself, and I really wanted to write a review on this album for so long, so here it is!

Now, I heard this album quite a while ago, when I was discovering more and more Slowcore, and I thought it was good, always loved Katy Song, but I wasn't necessarily extremely crazy about the whole album. Re-listening to it now, with a more mature taste and a little bit of a different mindset, it has grown on me quite a bit. Definitely up there with the Slowcore classics, even if it might not be perfect front to back like "I Could Live In Hope" or even "Stratosphere".

You have these Folky and lightly strummed guitars, with these very sad lowkey vocals, and lyrics that are pretty expected for this genre, either way, it's amazingly written. Some really amazing songs come out of this, such as Katy Song, Grace Cathedral Part, Down Through, and Mistress (Piano Version). I also really enjoy Funhouse. The other tracks are all solid too, although not quite as great.

I just love the guitar on tracks like Down Through, it just sounds so mysterious and gives off a very peculiar vibe that I really enjoy. So yeah the guitar work is amazing on here, I could only dream of recording AC and Electric (but mostly AC) guitar this smoothly and effectively.

And the vocals match it perfectly. They are very gentle and soft. They carry quite a bit of emotion, I love Mark's voice, it's really beautiful here.

It's not very accessible, yet also accessible at the same time. Soft and gentle on the ears, but at times also quite unusual in its own special way, with some interesting progressions.

Quite a touching record, and extremely well-made. Definitely a staple in the Slowcore and Folk Rock genre as a whole.

FAV TRACKS: Katy Song, Down Through, Mistress (Piano Version), Grace Cathedral Park, Funhouse
LEAST FAV TRACKS: N/A