RSS SUBSCRIPTIONCD Review: Douglas September – Sundays in Radio
Douglas September
Sundays in Radio
Independent (2009)
I don’t have a natural appreciation for albums as an art form. Bands and solo artists typically must make their artistic case to me through a single, which to be fair, is usually how things are done anyway. Many albums are simply convenient vehicles for a loosely strung-together collection of stronger and weaker pieces, so albums without at least a few stand-alone tracks don’t often make a strong case to me for their own purchase.
I therefore would have missed out on Douglas September’s Sundays in Radio had I not stopped at the Upstairs in Sydney’s north end during September’s gig on August 20. After sitting down for a nightcap and taking in his low-key stylings, I regretted not taking in more of his act but made sure to pick up his most recent album at the end of the show.
It’s unclear whether September intended for Sundays in Radio to be a concept album but upon listening, that’s often how it seems. It very much brings to the imagination what you might hear if, stranded in a dystopian broken-down small town, your only possession was an old radio requiring you to flip between frequencies every now and then in search of a decent signal.
September’s lyrics are often singled out for their caustic commentary and wit. This is true, but they would be wholly unremarkable without the atmospheric guitar, strategic samplings, static effects, and the otherworldly rasp of his vocals. Electronic scratches and ominous string flourishes contrast with the occasional snippet of what might be a vintage radio play and, in the case of the last track “Like a Pop Star”, a sample of a child’s sweetly off-pitch singing. It creates the sense that we’re searching for a kinder, simpler time, but that the memories are a little too faded for a proper indulgence in nostalgia.
As with the live performance, there are so single tracks that stand out on this album. It’s the kind of thing that is ideal for background play, to be finished only when it has occurred to you that the album has already looped through at least twice. Overall, Sundays in Radio is an entire aural package for which I wish I had an audiophile’s equipment collection to appreciate it fully.
Related posts:
- Acclaimed songwriter and Cape Breton native Douglas September at the Upstairs August 20
- Sister act RoSa spends summer putting finishing touches on debut album
- CD Review: Slowcoaster – The Darkest of Discos
- CD Review: Dawn and Margie Beaton – Taste of Gaelic
- MARY JANE LAMOND – ORAIN GHAIDHLIG: Gaelic Songs of Cape Breton
2 Comments
2010-09-13
22:34:16
Here's to the long form. Of course, "Pop Star" is September's alter ego. A cynical nod to his label days when all that mattered was the length of the tune. This guy can't be contained in three minute bursts. We are all the better that he is now calling the shots.
2010-09-28
12:17:53
Douglas is playing this coming Saturday October 2nd at the Upstairs Club (44 Ferry Street in the North End).
There will also be visual art by Onni Nordman. Art / mingle 8 PM, Performance 9 PM. Don't miss this amazing artist!