I've been returning to each album I've previously rated and formally reviewing them. Originally for my AOTY list, which is not necessarily based on their ratings because when I rate an album I try to leave it at my initial rating unless my opinion on it drastically changes enough for me to re-rate it, Alex Cameron's Forced Witness made the 4th slot behind Brockhampton's Saturation I in 3rd, CARE's LUV IN THE RUINS in 2nd, and Ariel Pink's Dedicated to Bobby Jameson in 1st. If I knew how timeless and relevant Forced Witness would become in my daily life, I would have named it my AOTY for 2017.
Forced Witness is perhaps the most refined album in terms of theme, feeling adaptable, and well rounded of an album. It's concept alone is enough to intrigue me with how self aware it is. Alex Cameron playing the part of a failed entertain from his last record, his debut, Jumping the Shark, and now shedding his skin from washed up performer turn alpha male riding the coattails of whatever fame (or at least what he convinced himself) he had. Cameron is a dirt-bag, downright creepy, depraved, and highkey deranged. Almost like a phoenix, but rather than be reborn to pick up the pieces and return to form as a musician, he walks the streets of the Internet scavenging for online pussy to snatch that pleasure he once felt. This is a common theme for Cameron; when he is not on the Internet in search to underage tail, he drunkenly drifts from town to town, props himself up against a brick wall reminiscing of his past lovers, and picks fights with randomly strangers who appear tougher than he is. Cameron is trying to find himself and executes it in such an ass-backwards way with a false sense of masculinity by trying to prove to the world he's a lone wolf on a mission, whatever that happens to mean for him.
Now, for the music, it captures a hint of that 70's and 80's zeitgeist that gives the quality of his music a timeless feel and yet hasn't aged a bit. You can dance to every song and still feel something more past that. There's an underlying sadness that lingers from the end of every other line he speaks. Of course every other verse seems to have something to do with pussy, but that's besides the point. He knows how to paint a picture. The man, the myth, the legend, and our boy, Roy Malloy is featured on every track with horn in hand. His presence on Forced Witness adds a sensual aura to the record not found in Jumping the Shark. The dynamic between the two make for some glorious songs.
I can go on about how much this record means to me. Forced Witness is hilarious (and I never thought I would find an album that I love to be so funny either) and emotionally driving. Alex Cameron has a talent for showmanship (not to mention those dance moves *swoon*) and it should not go unrecognized.