As
a last.fm user so elegantly put it, “Anxiety’s Door” is Carson doing his best
Morrissey impression. I don’t think it’s any secret that Carson’s vocal style
is very derivative of Morrissey’s own somber voice, and Merchandise as a
vehicle for that voice is a very effective one. Much like the Smiths in the 80s
and Morrissey’s subsequent solo project, Merchandise is a desperate escape for
the sorrowful. I spent many a night playing Children of Desire and Strange
Songs at full blast, alone in the dark. Totale Nite was a beautiful surprise,
and an excellent addition to their bountiful discography. I first got my hands
on the EP at their show at Munoz Gym in Bakersfield on March 23rd.
When we finally piled back into the car and took a 2 hour drive back home, the
only logical thing to do next was to play the much awaited 12” over and over
until I finally fell asleep.
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| Merchandise |
Totale
Nite speaks greatly of Merchandise’s emotional side, and introduces a fresh
sound tinged heavily with psychedelia. “Who Are You,” the opening track, is a
bluesy, psychedelic rock tune, and came as a surprise when I first heard it.
The harmonica melody that plays throughout is a bit unexpected coming from a
band known for playing fuzzed out post-punk, but it is a welcome change.
And then “Anxiety’s Door” kicks in,
an almost 7 minute ripper of a tune, providing listeners with everything
they’ve come to love from Merchandise. It’s another “I Locked The Door”; it’s
one of the most memorable tracks of the album. You’ll find yourself singing
along to the chorus whether or not you know the words. “I’ll Be Gone” is the
big ballad of the album. Heavily seeped in psychedelia, this track sways and
moves like a dancer. One may recall “Bells Ring” by Mazzy Star.
I remember when waiting around the
boxing ring at Munoz Gym for Merchandise to set up, they had brought with them
a saxophone player. I hadn’t yet heard Totale Nite, and my only idea of what it
was going to sound like was from the leaked “Anxiety’s Door” track on YouTube.
On the titular track for Totale Nite, that mysterious saxophone makes its
appearance. Words can’t describe the energy of this 9 plus minute epic. This is
the climax of the album. This is what it all builds into. His eerie vocals are
especially pronounced here, and the guitar tone is thick.
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| SXSW |
Totale Nite sometimes feels less
like an album and more like an opera. It feels like there is a plot, and though
you can’t quite put your finger on what it might be, it’s that feeling that
keeps you listening throughout the whole album. The dynamics between each song
are so pronounced and so profound. Winter’s Dream, being the conclusion of the
journey that Totale Nite takes you on opens with a simple, but deceptively
beautiful bassline that remains constant throughout D. Vassolatti’s psychedelic
guitar noodling. Carson’s voice desperately calls out and croons. The music
fades out. It’s time to start the album over again.
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| Totale Nite Cove |
Written by Nate Rodriguez
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