Redbear!HOLLYWOOD TAOISM
To begin with, James Eric wrote an excellent review of this album over at 001collective.com a while ago. But since Patrick (the man behind Redbear) just recently put this album up on www.cllct.com , I only heard of it recently. Mr. Eric’s review does a great job at pointing out a lot of things about the album that absolutely true and beautiful. I just thought a few things to add.
First off, Redbear’s “Love Songs for a Nihilist” is probably one of my releases from a DIY folk artist. Period. But I’m here to talk about his new album and not of the years past. Hollywood is oceans away from any old material that Patrick has released. I can not help but feel that Patrick was listening to a lot of k records and pwelverumandsun bands: including but not limited to, Karl Blau and Thanksgiving. He might or might not be listening to be these bands, but if Phil Evrerum heard this album. I’m quite positive he’d want to put it out.
The opening track [ ]'s rhythmic drumming that seems to be fed through some effects pedals that even reminds me of some Boredoms material. It is quite the perfect introduction to the new Redbear.
“Don’t Haunt Me Yet” shows the influence of Phil Evreum and company pretty blatantly. The good thing about Patrick is that he can pull off wearing his influences on his sleeve very easily, yet still hold true to that signature Redbear sound. The main thing that sticks out on this track is Patrick utilizing his voice as another instrument and not just a machine that spits out words.
“Home is a Hell” with its taps and bumps reminds me the most of the songs every kid in every dysfunctional family across America sings. “Home is the hell that you hold in the closest of hearts” has been sung on every bedroom floor in America. It's filled with jealousy and anger and hope and despair all in two minutes and twenty seven seconds.
“Walks among us” feels like the song Patrick wrote at 3 in the morning with its simple strumming, and quiet taps and bumps. He seems to be on his last edge, yet desperately trying to hold on. “Holding God above your only equal, now that’s wrong” only exemplifies this.
“Life on a Map” is the most far from the obvious influences we hear on the record. The taps and bumps are still there, but it’s the guitar work and the vocal styling that reeks the most of Redbear’s persona. Again, Patrick does a rather good job of pulling in his influences while keeping the songs Redbear songs.
“Forrest of Legs II” has infectious lyrics like “do you feel the tension between the trees and the moons, its that feeling you get when you finally realize where you are.” The drumming and guitar work on this song feel like it could be a b-side to The Microphones “The Glow pt. 2” and that definitely is not a bad thing at all.
On the track “Cook County” Patrick sings about some of the ups and most of the downs of Chicago city living. Being a native of the Chicago-land area, this song struck a chord with me.
“All my Friends are Dead” simple guitar work really lets Patrick's voice come to life and stand out. Even with his vocals standing out, it is the weakest track on the record. It’s a relatively short song and it doesn’t seem to go anywhere. But just because it’s the weakest track does not mean it is a bad track. It just only works in this collection of songs and not on its own.
“Circular” is the last actual song on the album and the finger picking reminds me of Owen so much. It beautifully brings the album to a slow end. Mostly instrumental, it makes the album feel complete and focused.
The noise interludes are most reminiscent of Karl Blau, especially his later material. “Therapy Session” sounds like what I felt like after my counseling sessions for my mothers alcohol problems in 7th grade. “Dinner Party” sounds like a pack of starving cannibals finally finding some fresh skin to eat. “Three suns” is the least noisey and is actually just an impressive instrumental track showing off Patrick’s skills on the guitar.
“Hollywood Taoism” is the last track on the album and I think it fits perfectly as a closer. People would and will debate whether the closer should be a noise interlude or an actual song. I would lean more towards an actual song, but the title track seems perfectly named. The sounds that flood my ears feel like every single soul that has ever been corrupted by a bad Hollywood movie is screaming from the gates of hell to get them the fuck out of there. Patrick felt trapped and this record was his escape.
This is RedBear at his best. There is not a bad track on this album. Download this, buy it, burn it for your friends, tell everyone about it. Its refreshing to hear someone sound so original yet know what his infulences are. Patrick really became his own song writer on this release. He found out where is going and that no one is going to stop him. Redbear is Here to stay.
Download Hollywood Taoism
Redbears Myspace
