“I set out to make a sonic monster using the legs of James Gang Rides Again, the heart of Black Sabbath Paranoid, with my kid brain inside, my greying middle aged head on top. I've hit a point in my life where instinct has taken the reigns fully, logic now waits in the wings to sweep up the stage and pay the taxi fare home. This album is the result of committing to this path fully and laughing all the way."
-Mike Viola
Well, damn if that doesn't perfectly describe "Paul McCarthy," Mike Viola's stellar new release. I honestly don't know where to begin. Oh, wait. I know.
When, Mike Viola dropped the first single, the title track a month or so ago, I was not impressed. It reminded me too much of a number of different Mike Viola songs and that was the least of my problems with it. I just didn't get the song. Was it an in-joke? I hate in-jokes. Now, in the context of the album, I still don't quite get it, but I know it is supposed to be here.
What does that mean? It means that if we can moan about legacy artists and their basic album templates, then we should shut the hell up when a genius like Mike Viola creates another record that is full of twists and turns and odd instrumentation (which is not to say guitars, bass, keyboards and drums are odd, they are just utilized in thrilling ways and not your basic power pop arrangements), and gorgeous melodies and uncomfortably personal lyrics, with unexpected detours through krautrock--"Torp"--and heavy metal parodies--"Water Makes Me Sick," which is every song on Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" all at once. Yes, all of that happens on "Paul McCarthy" and every damn second of it works.
My first pass through was a delight. My second pass through made "Paul McCarthy" my favorite record of the year, so far.
I may never recover from. "Love Letters From A Childhood Sweetheart."
15 comments:
I also listened to this over the past weekend. "Love Letters..." knocked me out. A very very solid album.
Well, that’s gorgeous.
Haven't listened yet as I'm waiting for my LP to arrive. This has been on of my most anticipated releases but now I'm looking forward to it even more.
Yes indeed. At the top of my list for 2023 thus far. He is playing Thursday night in a small venue in New Hope, PA. Hoping to go.
This was so great! I went right to the interwebs to try to find a physical copy but only see streaming. Do you know when a CD or vinyl would be released, or did I miss that?
For vinyl/CD :: https://grandphony.com/
"Love Letters from a Childhood Sweetheart"! What have you done to me? I can't sit here crying at work all day!
Just gorgeous.
Viola has been a top five artist for me the past few years - I've only had one casual listen of this one so far, but really looking forward to it. The "Black Sabbath" song sounded great!
Can't find any info anywhere as to when the vinyl will be released - anybody know that?
Randy
Randy
The link for the vinyl and CD is right above.
Thanks for the link.
Sal, I've got it pre-ordered from them but haven't heard a thing from 'em??? Have you got a vinyl copy yet?
Randy
Randy,
Viola posted on Instagram that they were shipping this week.
Love the new album. Full of reckless, almost youthful abandon with the songs. But at the same time, Mike fills the songs with insights and life experiences of a rocker well into his 50's. And smart too. Lot's of references to artists Bill Viola and Paul McCarthy. Just a fun album from a great songwriter and performer. I got to see his live show with band here in Chicago. Did not disappoint - go see him.
Also, queue up Mike's "You Put the Light into My Face" back to back with Harry Nilsson's "Jump Into The Fire" for an extended groove session
When I think of Mike Viola I think 'Power Pop' and great melodies. At first listen to "Paul McCarthy" i was bit taken aback by the harder edge I perceived throughout the album, especially on the second track "Water Makes Me Sick". It starts off ok but the middle instrumental break sounded a bit high school band riff and it really irked me. I think it colored my perception of the album especially given further "heavier" cuts like "Scientist Alexis" and "Torp". Given that, "Love Letters From a Childhood Sweetheart" left me devastated. I also liked the cuts that had been released earlier with "I Think I Thought Forever Proof" being my favorite, It had all the Mike Viola elements that I loved.
I didn't give up on it though. I listened a few more times and cane to realize how excellent an effort this is. It all makes sense in context. I'm still irked by the middle of "Water ..." but the rest of the song works for me as do all the others. Taken in context it all works brilliantly. I till don't know what the hell "Paul McCarthy, the song, is all about but why worry. It's great. I wasn't sold on it at first but had the pleasure of seeing Mike play it in Los Angeles and it clicked. A great album and it the top 3 of my best of 2023 list.
cmealha,
"I'm still irked by the middle of "Water ..."
Were you not at all tickled by the fact that he was quoting various sections of Sabbath's "Paranoid" album? I thought that alone made the track genius.
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