A first post is a big thing. I believe it sets precedence for everything to come- in tone, in taste; a first impression of the internet sort. Since my Cursive pre-order arrived today, I think it’s only fitting to begin with a discussion of Happy Hollow which someone kindly posted in the saddlecreek community of livejournal about a month ago.
Tim Kasher is definitely my favorite artist on Saddle Creek. I enjoy the Good Life’s sour lyrics and sweet melodies, and the jaunt, thrust and bang of Cursive’s signature sound.
Cursive’s Happy Hollow is a reintroduction to the core music introduced in Eight Teeth to Eat You and The Storms of Early Summer with a bold new direction. Everything’s cleaner, crisper yet still Cursive.
Sometimes these songs sneak up on you. And sometimes they stab and pulsate with the slide of the guitar and bleed of the horns. It’s like nothing else, which is why it might be an acquired taste. Bad Sects is to Happy Hollow as The Recluse was to The Ugly Organ. Flag and Family, So-So Gigolo, Dorothy at Forty b-side The Bitter End and the pre-order exclusive track No News is Bad News are all notable tracks. Notable as in you should buy, buy, buy and listen. Repeatedly.
And do so from Saddle Creek. I hit the jackpot as I opened my order today. The album, the EP, a Cursive sticker (who doesn’t love stickers?), a Saddle Creek sampler, a Cursive license plate (pulled directly from a Corn Pops box circa 1987…truly awesome) and a download code for an exclusive track, all under $15.
Cursive downloads here.
