Wednesday, December 10, 2008

(Smog) - Red Apple Falls


I had no intention of posting this record until I stepped outside this morning into a cold, snowy street to take the train to work and put it on. It seemed very appropriate as the wet, dreary winter days we've been experiencing here in Chicago are the perfect backdrop to records like (Smog)'s Red Apple Falls. On his sixth album under the (Smog) moniker, Bill Callahan expands slightly on his interesting lo-fi, acoustic recordings by bringing producer Jim O'Rourke into the fold. Though O'Rourke engineered previous efforts, his airy flourishes often fill out otherwise sparse, dark tracks. This comes through even more on the few up tempo songs like "I Was a Stranger," "Ex-Con" and "Inspiration." That isn't to say those songs are even terribly upbeat though with lyrics like "Alone in my room I feel such a warmth for the community, but out on the streets I feel like a robot by the river looking for a drink" all sung in Callahan's trademark deep, relatively monotone voice. Red Apple Falls is a great album full of some real bum out tracks, perfect to listen to on headphones indoors when the weather gets too unbearable.


(Smog) - Red Apple Falls

6 comments:

sara said...

i've had bill calahan on the brain this whole week (probably because we are total homosagitarians). tay and i went to see him about two years ago at the lakeshore theatre and there was this moment where we grabbed eachother's arms like you would in a scary movie at a scary part only he was singing, "there is no love...without obstacle." it was alamrming and terrifying but in a "bill calahan's life lessons", more enlightening kind of way. we cried.

Stephen said...

I remember when he played there and I contemplated going, but then reconsidered. Probably not a great move on my part. That show sounded great.

Anonymous said...

"i'll break horses" is one of the most brutal songs ever written.

Chris said...

i like your blog. i wanna put you on my music blogs list.

Stephen said...

Chris - Thanks for the compliment. I checked out your blog and you've posted some great stuff as well. It looks like we have pretty comparable taste. Are you going to the Disembodied show in Chicago?

Chris said...

thanks alot!
and unfortunately im not, but im seeing them when they play here in anahiem. so its jsut as good!