Waxahatchee – Saint Cloud
Alternative – Released March 27, 2020 – 11 songs, 40 mins
Average Rating: 6.4
LUNDI’s album drop:
So boys we all agree Tame Impala is the best and those critics are cracked buttttt one particular album stood out to me that was consistently a top 5/10 album on these year end lists. I’ve heard a song or two that I’ve liked and have always said I’d give this band (person?) a go.
REID
Last album of 2020 – French Monday’s choice, Waxahyesby!
Google tells me Katie Crutchfield is the singer-songwriter of this band, named after her hometown of Waxahatchee Creek, Alabama. They have a good thing going. The music really compliments her super soothing voice and the vocal harmonies are a nice touch. I can understand why it ranked high on several 2020 lists but…it just loses me and I get bored after the Can’t Do Much – Fire – Lilacs trio. The songs have nice elements and I enjoy some more than others but I don’t have much to offer for a song by song breakdown. Are the openings to Lilacs and War the exact same, or is it just me? Anyway, I think the band is talented and it’s a decent rainy-day office listen. I’ll likely circle back and listen to the noted trio from time to time.
(Howwwwwww is this ranked higher than The Slow Rush and The New Abnormal??)
Overall Rating – 6.0/10
Favourite Song – Can’t Do Much
ROZ
This is definitely a laid back, no frills style of music that I enjoy from time to time. Both Oxbow and Can't Do Muchdisplayed her very unique voice and singing style, along with the pleasant acoustic stylings of her band - so far this is a smooth, easy listening experience.
Her vocals, complemented by the electric piano, really shined in Fire - I really do love the rasp in her voice. Can't Do Much & Lilacs followed suit, very warm and enjoyable. The Eye was much the same, and it's around this part of the album where I'm craving more. Tempo switch? Some new elements? I'm not exactly sure, but I wouldn't mind some variation... perhaps a song that really pops out. With this mindset, I'm very interested to see how the rest of the album plays out.
Unfortunately, this moment doesn't come. Hell was much of the same. Then Witches, War, Arkadelphia, Ruby Falls: a pleasant listening experience but nothing too interesting or ground breaking. Special shout out to Saint Cloud, this one really did hit me in the feels. I'm a sucker for a good chord progression and this song has it - not only that, but a killer vocal that seems a lot more raw and more soulful than the rest of the album. Definitely my favorite of the bunch, and really wish that there was more of this.
All in all, this is my first exposure to Waxahatchee. While I enjoyed her style to an extent, I really wish that there was a little more diversity within the album front to back - both on a production level as well as with the overall timbre of her sound.
Overall Rating – 7.1/10
Favourite Song – Saint Cloud
LUNDI
A familiar artist to the airwaves of Sirius XMU which plays in my car, I was very intrigued by this album as I continued to see it on years best lists for 2020.
Waxahatchee’s Saint Cloud is certainly an enjoyable listen and they are no doubt a talented band with an excellent lead singer but I feel this one is getting its praise primarily due to the narrative behind it and the lyrics that accompany these dark songs.
We can all certainly relate to songs of breakup and frustration which is a constant motive throughout the album. I particularly like the start of the album with songs Can’t Do Much, Fire, and Lilacs but honestly the rest of the album falls a little flat. Other than War I don’t particularly love any of the remaining songs.
Overall this album leans a little too country for my tastes. I can see why it’s critically lauded but it’s just not for me
Overall Rating – 6.1/10
Favourite Song – Can’t Do Much