There is music that you listen to and say “oh wow, that was a pretty good record”. Then, there is music that you listen to and you are just so inspired that you go and create something of your own. In my case, I listened to Aaron Lee Tasjan a few times, then I went and felt motivated to write a bunch of my own songs, scrap a few because they paled in comparison, and then continue writing some more to keep up. That’s what truly great songwriting is about for me. The inspiration I get from another great songwriter.
If you have read this site at least a few times, you probably realize I am a huge fan and advocate of EPs as a method of putting your music out there. When an artist is able to say a whole bunch in a short length of songs, it just wows me. From the first note of the raucous “American Tan” to the final phrase he spits in the spoken word “Not Punk” I am enthralled with what I am hearing…sidenote: I received this before the record came out, so my listening experience was in alphabetical order, not the actual order of the tracks on the EP. Either way or order you listen, this is a f*cking fantastic collection of tunes.
‘American Tan’ is a political take on something that has become pretty damn relevant in the past month. As Tasjan proclaims the line:
Of all the white people problems in the world son / white people might be the biggest one
he just has me hooked. He is able to take a simple statement and infuse an attitude and so much heart to it that he commands your attention. At the same time, he uses humor to keep things light on what are very big issues throughout the track. With his passionate spitting of words over a fuzz pedal driven guitar, I am listening man…I am listening hard.
“Living Proof” very quickly became one of my favorite tunes I have heard all year long. The live performance video of this blows my mind. Aaron again uses his clever wit in what are fairly simple phrases that just tear me apart inside. This is what the definition of great songwriting is. I find myself half hating the guy just for writing lines that I wish I came up with…but then I love the dude for writing them at all.
Well every girl I meet thinks she’s an actress in the long run
I wonder why every actress has to act like one?
“Madonna’s From America” gives a nod to a bit of the blues with a steady and straightforward riffing and the writing is worth really listening to.
Tasjan’s spoken word take on the evolution (or de-evolution) of punk music is again filled with clever quips and observations about music and society in general. He quick fires how things have collapsed around the genre. He is hilarious but poignant and vigilant in his perceptions. Just awesome.
Someone says “dude, that is sooo not punk”
As Blink 182 stumbles around all gacked up on hairdye and long shorts
Meanwhile Iggy sits with Tom Waits and smokes another cigarette in a black and white movie
‘Telling Stories to the Wall’ has very quickly become one of my favorites of the year. Everything works for me here. The writing is brilliant and Aaron Lee Tasjan is the type of songwriter that you just…hmmm…generally like to like. A fantastic guitar player to boot keeps things interesting and lively as he spins stories and political satire and examinations throughout his songs. This is a guy that everyone should be paying attention. to I absolutely and wholeheartedly f*cking love this EP…you go get it now.
And seriously, that EP title? If you are a musician and you don’t relate to that, go cut your teeth a bit more, maybe you will equate to half the greatness that this dude pens. Just incredible.