B'lieve I'm Going Down - Kurt Vile (2015)

TIL that Kurt Vile is actually named Kurt Vile. I’d always sort of figured it was a johnny rotten-style stage name (or possibly a pun take on German 20th century modernist Kurt Weill, although, why the hell would it be that?).

Anyway, picture the more psychedelic end of 70s outlaw country filtered through NYC No-wave. Or maybe just “what country sounds like to Philly hipsters.”

Whatever it is, he has a very distcintive sound and a matter-of-fact, self-deprecating lyrical style that are fun to listen to.

While the best tracks here are really good, there is a lack of variety. To be honest, 61 minutes of this is a bit of a slog, but the standouts make it worth the effort.

Tracks I Liked

Pretty Pimpin - funny and nihilistic. Easily my favorite Vile song

Lost My Head There - a slightly slower take

Wild Imagination - breaks the monotony at the end of the record, although that’s mostly just strumming rather than picking the guitar figure