I Am The Prophet
Earth Libraries, 2021
9/10
The recording moniker of Austin’s Tyler Dozier, this debut album puts a psychedelic and country slant on modern indie-rock as the songstress thematically broaches feminist empowerment, biblical imagery and the human experience, while a handful of friends lend a hand on instrumentation.
“Paradox” starts the listen with bright, smooth singing as warm guitar and Eddy Dunlap’s sublime pedal steel complement the breezy melody, and “Dogs” follows with an initially more bare approach that’s percussively strong thanks to Jeremy Clark, where Dozier’s expressive pipes float amid some atmosphere.
The title track lands in the middle and displays Dozier’s poetic formula that’s as thoughtful as it is articulate and showcases Aksel Coe’s restrained drumming and Laura Epling’s sublime violin, while “Intro To Loss” brings orchestral strings into the gracefulness, where Ian Robinson’s precise cello adds much to the brief instrumental. “Misandrist To Most”, an album standout, then recruits a danceable spirit that even enlists twang into the adventurous landscape.
Deeper into the listen, the surprisingly upbeat “Drink Your Sorrows” is on par with today’s version of indie-rock alongside some chamber rock nods, and “Left-Handed Lover” exits the listen with much beauty packed into the dreamy, swirling climate that even integrates subtle sax from David Williford.
Often intimate, always creative and with traces of melancholy present, Dozier has lived a complicated life that began in Alabama in a very strict, religious environment. After high school, she was able to loosing the hold that religion held on her, and this absence of faith allowed her to grow into the songwriter that she is today, which, as evidenced by this very striking first record, is one that we should all be familiar with.
Travels well with: TC Superstar- Double Release; The Building- Petra