Love You, Barely Living
Black Numbers, 2020
10/10
Listen to Love You, Barely Living
An Austin outfit spearheaded by Chase Spruiell, on this 2nd album and first since 2016, Big Loser brings some well thought out guitar rock to an articulate and personal effort.
“Revellie!” starts the listen with energetic alt-rock meets charming indie-rock as plenty of punk spirit is also present as are horns, and “Blisters” follows with an angular approach as backing vocals add much to the crunchy atmosphere.
Further on, “Beautiful Dark Room” enters darker territory where the lively rhythm section highlights the punchy formula, while “Post-Almost-Overdose” recruits acoustic guitar as vivid storytelling flows alongside the introspective strumming in the ballad. The title track then brings an anthemic quality with sharp melodies that are so well done, it alone is worth the price of admission.
Deeper cuts bring us the soaring, glorious “Pessimist, Real”, and “Denouement” finishes things off the listen lyrically strong and with an immediately memorable delivery of the sort of modern rock that we’ll never tire of.
Spruiell certainly has some Matt Skiba similarities in his singing, and there’s often an ominous quality that does draw some parallels to Alkaline Trio, too, if they grew up listening to Mansions and The Weakerthans- yes, this is that good. Record of the year material here, folks… just incredible.
Travels well with: The Menzingers- On The Impossible Past; The Front Bottoms- Talon Of The Hawk