The Something Rain - Tindersticks (2012)
February through the years: on the Feb 2012 playlist, along with Sharon Van Etten, The Punch Brothers, and my favorite Shearwater album
Most bands wouldn’t open a record with a 9-minute spoken word piece. Tindersticks are not most bands.
An early album of theirs got a lot of attention as an alternative rock album, but the band never really fit that catetgory. Mixing chill vibes with orchestral arrangements and laying urgency on top with Stuart A. Staples’ cool vocal baritone, they have an incredible sound that they’ve honed razor-sharp over years of sprawling albums and film music.
This one, while a typical album for them, is a particularly good example of what they can do. They mix smart, understated music with lyrics of literary seriousness. And yet, it’s so fun to hear.
Tracks I Liked
Show Me Everything - a slow build and a big payoff
Slippin’ Shoes - a great example of Tindersticks at their best
