MJ Lenderman - Boat Songs

Dear Life Records

MJ Lenderman, lead guitarist of indie outfit Wednesday, releases his second studio album on Dear Life Records by the name of 'Boat Songs'. In what would be referred to as polished lo-fi, MJ Lenderman has produced an endearing record in Boat Songs - one of astonishing character and genuinely brilliant tracks.

Boat Songs is entertaining on many levels, but rooted in depressive aesthetic. It balances the heavy with the humorous, the happy with the heartfelt. Lyrically satirical and pushing on downright dumb at times, MJ Lenderman finds that sweetspot between fun and fine tuned. MJ Lenderman's distorted guitarwork plays through a slacker aesthetic in sophisticated fashion - elegant yet always on the verge of tripping over itself. Tied to pop structure and sprinkled with elements of noise rock Boat Songs scratches a similar itch to bands like Pavement with their slanted, slightly awkward take on the world of noise pop. Boat Songs should be straight forward to enjoy for anyone who has any experience with the noisier shades of pop.

Slowing things down to a heavy pace MJ Lenderman finds a tidy balance between 'up and at it' outings and 'down in the dumps' decor. Interesting, but effective, choices in instrumentation make Boat Songs unique, yet familiar in an even stranger way. A mad selection of swamp-y soundscapes exude the feeling of country roads and overarching fruit trees - albeit rotting, over-matured fruit. These roots are far from fine, but they refuse to give up. The human spirit defies the weight of the ever crushing external forces.

'I bought fake Jordans, they weren't even shoes'