Review Summary: you can battering-ram this life
Told Slant’s sophomore LP has an interesting feeling of continuation. The Brooklyn, New York-based emo/slowcore act, headed by Felix Walworth, creates an aura similar to a post-party dying campfire, when only the diehards remain huddled. In a review for Matt Elliott’s
The Calm Before, I complimented Elliott’s sense of pacing, and how his songs often seem to naturally resolve over long stretches. Walworth’s songwriting is similar in that it’s lethargic and struggles between pessimism and optimism, but contrary in that it rarely resolves. Told Slant’s newest,
Going By, is like a series of personal half-successes, or half-failures, as Walworth’s low, squeaky vocal delivery conveys tender insecurity that seems to inch its way out of a hole, gasping with each exertion. Perhaps the best part of
Going By is that it could stop at any moment without really losing its sense of place, whether that place was halfway up a mountain or sinking into a mattress.
Just as Modest Mouse’s early material seemed to capture the essence of day-to-day hardships in the late 90s, Told Slant seem to capture the recurrent late-night depressions of the 2010s. With both bands, much of the success lies in the singers; but, Modest Mouse were significantly more ambitious in composition, with songs suited to the highway, whereas Told Slant’s charm is in lack of ambition, with songs suited to the bedroom. As with their debut,
Still Water, the appeal is more in the relatable, confessional attitude than the vessel carrying it. Still, some songs are instrumental highlights. “Low Hymnal” has an Americana tinge, juxtaposing half-hearted hopefulness with folky instrumentation: faux-military snare rolls, dusty guitar plucking, and emotive banjo. “Sweater” and “Tsunami”, both re-workings of previous songs, retain much of their passion in the studio.
“Tsunami” ’s refrain is a significant lyrical moment; the line, “
isn’t this silly / and aren’t you beautiful,” is one of many cases where Walworth drops his navel-gazing philosophy for straightforwardness, almost impatiently cutting to the chase. Told Slant are best when they’re quotable. Part of the difficulty in hyping
Going By is trying to replicate the satisfaction in how certain words resonate, and the ensuing joy of repeating them. As with spending the night’s waning hours with your friends after the main event has ended, one can only hope for it to happen naturally.
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