VITAL
J. Alan Wilder
Apr 12th, 2003 by Vital ArchivesRebecca Haack
Apr 12th, 2003 by Vital ArchivesThe Uncultured Bacterium
Apr 6th, 2003 by Vital ArchivesKelp Chofs
Apr 6th, 2003 by Vital ArchivesPaul McLeary
Apr 6th, 2003 by Vital ArchivesJan Wolfenberg
Apr 6th, 2003 by Vital ArchivesJohn Hughes
Apr 2nd, 2003 by Vital ArchivesKen Morgan
Apr 2nd, 2003 by Vital ArchivesEric Francis
Apr 2nd, 2003 by Vital ArchivesMatt Czarnik
Apr 2nd, 2003 by Vital ArchivesErin Stalnaker
Apr 2nd, 2003 by Vital ArchivesSt. Thomas
By Jeremy Saperstein I’ve gotta start this review with the same thing I’m sure every other review will start with: singer/songwriter Thomas Hansen sounds remarkably like Neil Young, in lyrics, delivery and musical construction. Okay, now that’s out of the way… If you’re already fond of the works of Mr. Young, the odds are good you’ll very much like St. Thomas as well. Formed in Norway, the band’s record is like nothing so much as country music or Americana, but from the land of the fjords, not Fords (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Without knowing him personally, I’d have to guess that English is not Hansen’s mother tongue, which leads to some inspired lyrics like: I’ve never seen a cowboy before Never told a story so sore Hey, baby, take a look at me I think I’m ready for the kick-down I can never give you in Have you ever seen my chin An umbrella is dancing on the corner Now everything is beyond her But it’s easy to poke fun at people who don’t use English well (late night talk show hosts prove that about our president every night). St. Thomas is exactly the sort of record to listen to in your car as you drive I-94 late at night between LaCrosse and Tomah, or in the echoes of your empty house after your lover has left, or if you can’t understand why other people think your Nick Drake records are depressing.
Apr 1st, 2003 by Vital Archives