search for something...

search for something you might like...

Conflict Resolution: St.Paul and the Broken Bones - City Federal Building First in a new series of double takes on a single track by disagreeing writers

Conflict Resolution: St.Paul and the Broken Bones - City Federal Building

First in a new series of double takes on a single track by disagreeing writers

by OL House Writer,
first published: April, 2023

approximate reading time: minutes

"A portent of even darker, desperate, mysterious, confusing times to come?" - Toon Traveler

We don't always agree. We don't often agree might be closer to it. Occasionally, in the course of putting our Week in Music page of record reviews together, two conflicting opinions emerge and this seems to me to be of the essence of being a music fan, opining on our faves; subjectively stressing our objectivity; going down the pub and verbally duking it out.

This new every now and then series, Conflict Resolution, will feature both opinions at once, juxtaposed. We're doing cartwheels and offering double take, we're taking you with us on this, we hope.

St. Paul and the Broken Bones
City Federal Building
ATO Records

Toon Traveler
Dark opening, images of dystrophy, discordant vocals, juxtaposed harmony and discord, perhaps, optimism in the harmony maybe? The vocals strangely beguiling at times almost falsetto over crashing feedback echo? A portent of even darker, desperate, mysterious, confusing times to come?  This is a song from another time, when uncertainty was just reduced optimism, but now uncertainty is fear and paranoia, haunting more and more of our self-isolating lives. Love the vocals, and steady back beat, echoes of distant hopes, but realising deep fears. favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite_border

Ancient Champion
I live in an age dominated by visual media and I suppose over time I have become more and more superficial, to the point of abstraction, maybe. One look at the photo St. Paul and the Broken Bones sent accompanying their press release, and I had to forward to several people to canvass opinion because well, as a cautionary tale, it bothered me and I wouldn't want my band to look like that... Meanwhile what does Call Me sound like? Imagine if the Black Pumas or Brittany Howard were mediocre, everything dialed down to 5 instead of up to 11? Still listening. Not so much. Play by numbers soul. I'd asked Adrian the Ancient Champion drummer about the picture, whether it would make him more or less likely to press the play button on St. Paul's music. "I would certainly press the ‘off’ button," Adrian said, "Unless there was a ‘fuck off’ button." favoritefavorite_borderfavorite_borderfavorite_borderfavorite_border


Essential Information
Ousideleft Week in Music every friday....

OL House Writer

outsideleft articles not really assigned to or edited by a specific contributor


about OL House Writer »»

upcoming interviews begin with the Residents Feb 9th

RECENT STORIES

RANDOM READS

All About and Contributors

HELP OUTSIDELEFT

Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]

WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT

If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]

WRITERS thru' the Years

A.I. House-Painter, Agata Makiela, Alan Devey, Alan Rider, Alex V. Cook, Ancient Champion, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Archibald Stanton, Becca Kelly, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Cassie Thomas, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, Danny Rose, David Hackney, David O'Byrne, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Dr. Rich, Dr. Richard Bennett, Duncan Jones, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Graham Baker, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Hamilton High, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, J.Lee, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jenny McCann, Jeremy Gluck, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, John Robinson, Jonathan Thornton, Julie O, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Kiah Cranston, Kleo Kay, Lake, Lauren Frison, Lee Paul, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Martin Devenney, Meave Haughey, Michelle Williams, Mickey, Mike Fox, mindy strouse, Neil Campbell, Neil Scott, Ogglypoogly, OL House Writer, Pam, Paul Burns, Paul Hawkins, Paul Mortimer, Paul Quigley, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Richard John Walker, Rick Casson, Rikki Stein, Ronan Crinion, Rowena Murphy, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sheridan Coyle, Sofia Ribeiro Willcox, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Spencer Kansa, Steve McCarthy, The Conversation, Tim London, Tim Sparks, Tony Fletcher, Toon Traveller, Trevi, Urs Lerch, Wayne Dean-Richards, and founders, Alarcon & Lamontpaul

OUTSIDELEFT UNIVERSE

Kerry Hardley-Pryce at the Bear Bookshop
OUTSIDELEFT Night Out
weekend

outsideleft content is not for everyone