Pictures of Saint Paul Street

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:00:00
Greg Ashley is a cynic, and it suits him well. He also has a lot of stories about drugs and alcohol, which don't seem to agree with him so much, though that doesn't necessarily stop him from exploring them as an occasional option. These two sides of Ashley's creative personality dominate his 2017 album Pictures of Saint Paul Street, a set of ten songs that deal with the lesser side of human nature as seen through Ashley's eyes. Titles like "Self-Destruction Derby," "A Sea of Suckers," and "Bullshit Society" give you an idea of Ashley's dour view of the world around him, but musically Pictures of Saint Paul Street is surprisingly jaunty. With playfully jazzy piano figures dominating many of the songs, and clarinet and fiddle adding texture to others, this album trades in Ashley's psychedelic influences in favor of an upbeat sound best described as an indie rocker's 21st century variation on ragtime. (Though "Bullshit Society" and "Jailbirds and Vagabonds" deliver a significantly more downbeat sound, the latter is clearly influenced by Ashley's well-documented fascination with Leonard Cohen). The push and pull between Ashley's lyrics, which often deal with the drug-and booze-addled misadventures of various sad sacks (some of whom may or may not be Ashley himself) and the upbeat approach of the music gives this album an engaging emotional dynamic, and it points to the strength of Ashley's lyrics and melodies, which complement one another especially well on these sessions. It also helps that Ashley owns his own recording studio, which allows him to give this album a simple but satisfying sound that adds to both the humor and the bite of his tales. Pictures of Saint Paul Street is every bit as satisfying as the cheap wine or stepped-on cocaine favored by some of Ashley's characters, and it won't give you a hangover in the morning. ~ Mark Deming