GURF MORLIX

Gurf Morlix Finds the Present Tense

2013-03-20

Destruction. Brokenness. Just another day for Americana artist Gurf Morlix. His latest album, Gurf Morlix Finds the Present Tense, finds the singer quietly reflecting on all things apocalyptic. With the twang of guitar strings and quiet drum beats, Gurf Morlix lays out the brokenness of the world, and our ourselves. "Present Tense" acts as the best sampler of the album. Gurf narrates the irreconcilable relationships between children, a la Peter Gabriel's "Games Without Frontiers," and expands to apocalyptic imagery. Locusts and darkness ensue. Like "Present Tense" itself, the album tries to find the stability within the brokenness, but never quite finding the answer. The album eeks mortality, especially with "These Are My Blues," an 8 minute track with the occasional wisp of ambient noise reflecting the sad strange life one can lead. The album ends on a bittersweet note, the duet "Empty Cup," describing the bittersweet longing for another. The album is compelling enough for at least one listen, and though the album may make you ache, sometimes that just might be a good thing. - Jacqueline Ristola

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