Artist Review: Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s, Sling Shot to Heaven
Artist: Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s
Album: Sling Shot to Heaven
Genre: Folk / Rock
RIYL: Wilco, Ryan Adams, Pete Yorn
Those kicking around the midwest, or just very in tune with one of the most prolific music collectives of the past decade, will already know the name Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s. For those that don’t, Margot has been making music and touring since 2004, and in that decade the players are coming and going under the directive of Richard Edwards, the grounding force and constant creative maestro at its core. Edwards’ goal for Sling Shot to Heaven was to “make a record that came across like a sci-fi dream about my decade of touring and making records obsessively while slowly becoming an adult, or at least something vaguely resembling one.”
“Hello, San Francisco” introduces us to Margot’s latest lineup, a proficient group of the midwest’s best musicians. The kickoff track takes on that journey Edwards speaks of with a dreamy, hazy, misty hello that establishes a wonderfully rich tone right from the start. “Lazy” is simply a stunner, a gorgeous and appropriately laidback melody and restrained performance. “Go to Sleep You Little Creep” and “Gettin’ Fat” explore the wonderfully twisted, escapist sort of lyricism that Edwards incorporates into every record - a characteristic that not only solidifies his place as one of the more creative lyricists, but one of the most endearing as well.
“Long Legged Blonde Memphis,” “I Can’t Sleep My Eyes Are Flat” and “Los Angeles” kick things up a notch musically - a more urgent, assertive approach combined with a completely confident performance from all the players on this record. “Bleary-eye-d Blue,” “Flying Saucer Blues” and “I Don’t” are also both incredibly potent songs, but in an entirely different way. There’s indeed a bleary, dreamlike quality that feels spare but quickly fills all the way out to the slightly rough edges by the end.
From the first note to the last, Edwards reminds us just how accomplished he is as a songwriter; there’s a nostalgia, warmth and crooked charm to Sling Shot to Heaven. Unsurprisingly, this has quickly become one of my favorite records of the year because of its deep trove of lyrical gems. There is a brilliance and grace to what Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s is able to achieve with the 13 tracks on this album, and I anxiously await Edwards’ return to touring and obsessively making another record in the near future.
Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s website: http://margotandthenuclearsoandsos.com/
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_margot_the_nuclear_so_and_sos_sling_shot_to_heaven)
Album: Sling Shot to Heaven
Genre: Folk / Rock
RIYL: Wilco, Ryan Adams, Pete Yorn
Those kicking around the midwest, or just very in tune with one of the most prolific music collectives of the past decade, will already know the name Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s. For those that don’t, Margot has been making music and touring since 2004, and in that decade the players are coming and going under the directive of Richard Edwards, the grounding force and constant creative maestro at its core. Edwards’ goal for Sling Shot to Heaven was to “make a record that came across like a sci-fi dream about my decade of touring and making records obsessively while slowly becoming an adult, or at least something vaguely resembling one.”
“Hello, San Francisco” introduces us to Margot’s latest lineup, a proficient group of the midwest’s best musicians. The kickoff track takes on that journey Edwards speaks of with a dreamy, hazy, misty hello that establishes a wonderfully rich tone right from the start. “Lazy” is simply a stunner, a gorgeous and appropriately laidback melody and restrained performance. “Go to Sleep You Little Creep” and “Gettin’ Fat” explore the wonderfully twisted, escapist sort of lyricism that Edwards incorporates into every record - a characteristic that not only solidifies his place as one of the more creative lyricists, but one of the most endearing as well.
“Long Legged Blonde Memphis,” “I Can’t Sleep My Eyes Are Flat” and “Los Angeles” kick things up a notch musically - a more urgent, assertive approach combined with a completely confident performance from all the players on this record. “Bleary-eye-d Blue,” “Flying Saucer Blues” and “I Don’t” are also both incredibly potent songs, but in an entirely different way. There’s indeed a bleary, dreamlike quality that feels spare but quickly fills all the way out to the slightly rough edges by the end.
From the first note to the last, Edwards reminds us just how accomplished he is as a songwriter; there’s a nostalgia, warmth and crooked charm to Sling Shot to Heaven. Unsurprisingly, this has quickly become one of my favorite records of the year because of its deep trove of lyrical gems. There is a brilliance and grace to what Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s is able to achieve with the 13 tracks on this album, and I anxiously await Edwards’ return to touring and obsessively making another record in the near future.
Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s website: http://margotandthenuclearsoandsos.com/
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_margot_the_nuclear_so_and_sos_sling_shot_to_heaven)
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