Cursive is one of those bands that can rarely do any wrong. If they wanted to suck, they’d have to try very hard. The Saddle Creek mainstays have occupied an interesting place in the industry, garnering steadfast support from indie and hardcore scenes alike. Since their breakout onto the scene in 2000, Cursive has managed to shock and awe all sorts of fans with a unique, constantly-evolving approach to songwriting. Since their more hardcore beginnings during the Domestica-era, the band has continued to add an eerie depth to their music with the addition of horns and strings, and the maturity of Tim Kasher’s incisive, always-engaging lyrics.
Cursive underwent a brief hiatus in 2005, out of which it emerged as a reinvigorated four piece. Shortly thereafter, the band released Happy Hollow, a powerful return but re-imagination of the band’s style. Although Cursive has never been considered as tame, Happy Hollow was a beast of an album that showed the band’s experimentation at its highest. Explosive horn sections, untraditional song structures, and gritty guitars made for a listening experience that, to put it plainly, was nothing short of “weird.” But this was definitely a good thing; Happy Hollow was their most ambitious, interesting release to date.
After nearly a three year wait, The Omaha four-piece has returned yet again with Mama, I’m Swollen. Is it good? Yes, but as far as the album’s place in Cursive’s repertoire is concerned, it is one of their weakest. Mama comes across as the band’s quirkiest release, and unlike Happy Hollow, it takes a while for it to settle in. Usages of keys and horns that were once welcomed as interesting ingredients to Cursive’s formula now come across as odd and misplaced as they traverse the strangest of musical scales. As much as I’m a fan of experimentation, I feel that much of the album could have been used to produce more solid material. This brings me to my greatest beef with Mama. After many listens, I walked away from the album unable to identify many memorable tracks. If I had to pick one, I’d go with the opener, “In The Now,” simply because it’s a powerful song and provides the album with a great introduction. Or “I Couldn’t Love You” — that song’s pretty awesome. But other than that, I would characterize my listening of Mama as a blur, each track seeping into the other.
However, this album does have its strengths. As always, Tim Kasher is THE man when it comes to lyrics. Whether it be biting critiques of religion or politics or insights into human emotion, Kasher’s delivery is always powerful and compelling. The double entendre behind the refrain in “I Couldn’t Love You Anymore” brilliantly tackles a love that, although rife with anger and hatred, still survives in a twisted kind of way. In “We’re Going to Hell,” Kasher tells of how the civilized intentions of religious figures ironically end up making them more savage in a way that guiltily makes you want to abandon any sense of organized religion (and there ends my venture into lyrical interpretation). Musically, the album does have it’s moments. Mama, I’m Swollen possesses an incredibly full sound; the band makes use of every instrument at their disposal, making the album all the more better.
So am I a little disappointed in Kasher and co.? At this point, it’d be hard to say no, especially having loved the hell out of Happy Hollow and everything that preceded it. But I haven’t lost faith in the mighty force that is Cursive. They have long held a place in my heart as one of the most original bands out there, and I hope that they stick around long enough to amaze me with a new album in coming years.
