The classic Olsen techniques without her allure or mystique. 'Whole New Mess' doesn't really work outside the context of "it's an acoustic album" The idea of taking the self-analytic songs of 'All Mirrors' and recording them in a claustrophobic setting sounds splendid, but both the execution and the context of these songs are sorely lacking. 'All Mirrors' benefited immensely from grandeur. Even the more minimalist tracks had some sort of spectacle to them. I feel stripping them down ... read more

Undoubtedly a little over-romanticized in regards to its influence, but I think that's in part to it's open arms accessibility. 'Modal Soul' is an album that passively presses itself on the themes of tranquility and human contemplation. A gentle acknowledgment followed by the next observation. In that regard you could say that this is a meditative album and I'm one to agree. The execution of the overall sonic environment - of woodwinds, an emphasis of jazzy/ambient undertones, and simple but ... read more

“It's not that bad, but I know I wanted to go deeper beneath the pain // beneath the human.”

Plato can be credited for saying that it's the ultimate duty of writers and painters to "help us live better lives." Over 2000+ years later and I doubt anyone would want to discredit this sentiment. Though, maybe it could use some amending for the modern day. In a world riddled with injustices (and outlets for mental deterioration) at every corner, I find that the novelist, ... read more

I've spent the last couple of months really considering what's so appealing to me about art -- and music especially. At some point, this day-in and day-out cycle of listening one album to the next gets exhausting. What am I supposed to be looking for exactly? What exactly is my standard? What's appealing to me? What are the opinions of others and how do they line up with my beliefs? Its these questions I asked as I then preceded to sterilize my experiences with art.

So, I took a step back, and ... read more