Tindersticks - 'Sometimes It Hurts' (Beggars Banquet)
4/5
By: Austin Louis Ray
There's a crudely painted, bright red cat on the cover of Tindersticks' 'Sometimes it Hurts' EP. From the low-spirited look in his eyes, one might be led to think this feline's seen quite a bit in his day. Maybe he recently lost a loved one. Maybe he's been hungry and without a home for too long. Maybe this rock-critic is reading too much into what's actually just an innocuous drawing. Whatever the case, this furry creature is the perfect mascot for the EP, as the two songs contained within play out as a nine-minute soundtrack for him.
The self-titled track starts things off with Stuart Staples' deeply dulcet vocals, reminiscent of Smog's Bill Callahan. The lyrics, if we keep with the aforementioned feline soundtrack theme, portray just what has the animal so glum:
'You're wasting your time / Coming round here... What got you to thinking / There was something new going on?'
However, those who'd rather think of something other than house-pets while listening might be relieved when Lhasa de Sela enters with an answer to Staples' question:
'Been lying awake all night / Trying to figure out... It's that old song / Keeps running around in my head.'
And the singversation begins. They continue to go back and forth to the end of the track, discussing what might be a relationship or simply the perils of songwriting - it's hard to tell. But as they exchange lines, graceful strings accompany their discourse, making for a gorgeous ambience, and moving song to boot.
'My Autumn's Done Come' not only keeps with the mournful feel of the lead-track, but takes it even further into the murky depths of melancholia. The track drags along, Staples' vocals crawling their way out of his mouth and into the world where they barely have the energy to exist. Strings take an even more prominent place, making up almost all the musical accompaniment.
And, if the first composition was the story of the cover-subject questioning his existence and place in the world, this one tells the story of the creature resigning that it's the end, knowing there's not much left but to patiently wait for death. ('Let my blood pressure go on its way'...)
Collectively, these are the words of one that's finally given up hope. And if you can't buy into the thought of a depressed cat thinking such things, you can surely relate to feeling like the bottom has been reached. For those times, these two songs will commiserate with you, as this is music to slouch into a chair with a strong drink and sulk to. In that respect, it serves its purpose - well, even if you're not quite a cat.
Artists in this article: Tindersticks
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment