Cutthroat Pop RecordsFirst off, I need to go ahead and apologize for the first draft of this review. Without intending to, I grossly misrepresented the work of Rachel Taylor Brown, and upon further inspection, what follows is hopefully a more carefully rendered interpretation of her music.
I have to say that the opening track of Half Hours with the Lower Creatures needs to be snapped up by a film ASAP for its soundtrack. This has to be one of the creepiest compositions I’ve ever heard, and it is quite the appropriate opening to an album of what has been called “creep-pop” music. Brown introduces us to her style with the “creep” of "Hemocult/I Care About You" and the “pop” of "You're Alright Sorla One." It almost seems like the more upbeat the song, the more disturbing the lyrics.
The subjects covered in Half Hours with the Lower Creatures range from bomb-making to religious zealotry to the war in Iraq. Brown seems to be interpreting the ways in which people create meaning in life through violence. The trilogy of the religion-themed “Passion,” Abraham and Isaac,” and “B.S. (Beautiful Savior)” form a bridge between “Stagg Field,” which is about homemade bombs, and then “Another Dead Soldier in Fallujah.” Brown shows us violence on a small scale, then religion as the bridge, then violence on a grander scale in Iraq.
Brown’s airy, ethereal voice contrasts with her intense subject matter, as do her upbeat, poppy melodies, often punctuated with harsh drum lines and other creative instrumentation that draws subtle emphasis to the depth of these songs. The placement of each track is perfect and tells the story of our culture, what drives the human race, and what is ultimately taking us all down.
Review by Shana Scudder
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4 comments:
Hi Shana,
I'm Rachel's sister - I was really pleased to see that you had reviewed her CD, but it kind of alarmed me to see Rachel referred to as a Christian artist! Rachel's references to Christ, the Bible and religion in general are used to condemn patriarchy, not to glorify the bible or Jesus.
The songs on 'Half Hours' are actually highly critical of the various institutions (especially religion and war) that help men justify stomping all over people who are 'other', whether they be people from other countries or religions, poor people, women, children or other creatures. I would think the title of track 6, "B.S. (Beautiful Savior)" would be ample evidence that this is not a Christian praise album.
Rachel comes from a religious background, which she left in the past many years ago. Like many artists who grew up with and later rejected a religion that forced them to twist themselves out of all recognition just to keep following the rules, she now has a lot to say about religion. It's almost impossible, however, to criticize religion very eloquently without mentioning it - hence the references to the crucifixion, etc.
Would you please post a correction regarding the categorization of the CD?
Thanks and best,
Katie Taylor
Jesus Christ, what in hell is going on here? As much as I enjoyed the laughter I splattered all over the walls of my living room after reading Rachel Taylor Brown's music "genrefied" as airy, dark, CHRISTIAN MUSIC, I feel I must speak up now or burn in hell for eternity. This woman is no Christian. In fact, she's a sorcerer, an idolater, and a whoremonger! I know this because I am her friend, and I am all of these things too. We sin together in glee.
You might listen to the album again... and when the Christian imagery arises, really tune in to the 'ominous and creepy' feeling of the music. Picture a great white God descending upon us, tossing your lesbian friends and unbaptized babies into a lake of fire. Then, maybe you won't puke in your mouth when you hear the word 'crucifixion'. Or maybe you will, but at least it will be for the right reason.
Personally, Half Hours with the Lower Creatures makes me feel as if I am swimming alongside one of those fantastically ugly creatures that reside in the deepest parts of the ocean. Essentially, it gives me a chance to explore the things that really terrify me. Like Mel Gibson, for example.
To brimstone and hookers,
Lauren Melena
Hi Shana,
I'm another friend of Rachel's writing in. Thanks a lot for reviewing her album - it means a lot to independent artists such as RTB to gain exposure to a smart group of reader/listers (such as the ones who doubtlessly click onto this blog).
I'm also one more voice asking you to listen to the album again. Rachel's music may elude simple classification, but I can assure you that she is in no way a "Christian Artist." Evidence may be found in the places listed above (e.g. "B.S. (Beautiful Savior)." I'd also like to draw your attention to the first track, "hemocult/i care about you". If you are as uninitiated in the world of medical jargon as I am, you may be interested to know that a hemocult is "A qualitative test for hidden blood in the stool, based upon detecting the peroxidase activity of hemoglobin." I can't quite imagine Amy Grant, Striper, or Relient K writing a song about that.
Yours respectfully,
Miss Jessel
Portland OR
The comments above prompted the writer to reconsider her review, which is the version you now see.
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