Cure-ish gospel punk with ethereal composition. The Pixies, Iggy Pop electronic.

5 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Modern Rock, ROCK: 80's Rock



Details:
JAMES CATHOLICâS âsmokes like butterâ
Perhaps if Mr. Catholicâs latest effort (a five song EP titled âsmokes like butterâ) where to be psychoanalyzed; it might render judgements of bipolarity shadowed by schizophrenia. It is with sincere purpose that such extremes flourish in Mr. Catholicâs muse; and drama arrives in the form of distinct vocal characters under the restrictions of elementary modern pop rock form. After all, itâs dramatic range what attracts Mr. Catholic to the Matt Johnsons (The The), Perter Murphys, Stooges, and Pixies of the world.

âSmokes Like Butterâ is not short on imperfection, specially at a time when the imperfection is crushed and ridiculed by ridiculous notions of pop music as academia, where sentiment is dwarfed by digestibility. Thus, Mr. Catholic has set out to create a work that displays musical coherence, without necessarily knowing how to arrive at that coherence. One thing is understood, it will be the years served in poverty that have shaped Mr. Catholicâs rebellion, and he trusts that his words, inflections, and melodies influence at the most basic of levels.

The initial track âLebanonâis a plywood floor thumping gospel induced romper that may have been influenced by Mr. Catholicâs religious upbringing in his native Costa Rica and adopted Texas (Catholic is no longer affiliated to any religion). More importantly, the songâs political/religious commentary is a result of Catholicâs two years spent as a teenager in the mid-east, and his belief that all paths to stability in the conflicted region lead to Jerusalem.

âminimalâ is a continuation of the political/religious theme; but to a dark, and some might say, Gothic aesthetic. Showcased in âminimalâ is Catholicâs willingness to circumvent brevity for message and drama. It is an introduction to âsmokes like butterâsâ more majestic and ethereal themes; continuing in Mr. Catholicâs tradition, displayed by his previous incarnations with bands New Guinea Pigs and âriotonred,â and his first James Catholic EP, âGod is for Slowdancers.â

âWarmest of Heartsâ is a crooning, airy and sensual avant pop pearl that maybe somewhat mistakingly associated with Scott Walker or Dead Can Dance, but its inspiration comes from eighties Hispanic balladeers Dyango, Roberto Carlos, and Jose Luis Rodriguez(El Puma). Catholic attempts to replicate the sincerity and showmanship displayed by these Hispanic giants, not of course, without applying a slight detour.
There is a major vocal contrast in the title track âsmokes like butter,â in that it represents a risky departure from the previous tracks. It is exactly such a departure that Mr. Catholic wants to be recognized for, he explained, âmusicians need to gradually expand their range, they must display that they have a foot in various genres and arenât afraid to be deemed âunfocused,â in this sense, you might expand your fan base and do as politicians often due, they try to make everyone happy.â There is a risk though, of alienating potential fans, unless having a wide musical palate is one of the artist trade marks. Regardless, âsmokes like butter,â is a Pixies/MC5 ripper that is as dark and rockinâ as it is light and infectious.
Perhaps the sweetest but most thought upon song ,âIce Cold Daughter,â was the initial dive into the five song EP, and its electronica, harmonies, and melodies surface as the final and distinct note of âsmokes like butter.â