The latest effort from Angie Mattson, an EP entitled Skeleton Arm, starts with the sound of insects and jungle drums. Â That first song, Bravery, equates the sacrifices needed for love with bravery and sets a kind of “always hunting” mentality that exists throughout the project. Â At the same time, there’s an undercurrent of the caged animal that’s the result of the hunter. Â In songs like Make This Real and Cool Water you keep wanting her to really break loose with the vocals and guitar. Â But while you almost feel them pulling against their restraints, they never escape. Â Even the tempo, that slow funeral dirge pounding made popular by the Cowboy Junkies, contributes to the dark emotion of the album.
That’s not to say this is a sad or melancholy disc. Â Mary includes a delightful 30’s film noir muted trumpet effect that adds a brighter texture. Â And in Mississippi there’s a subtle background of scratchy guitar and handclap percussion that dangles an authenticity of the era when music, even the blues, was uplifting. Â As you might expect from the bravery/love comparison there’s quite a bit of cynicism on this disc, too. Â On Sunday Paper Angie voices the almost cliche that “at the end of the day, everybody’s a whore.”
At the end of they day, I think I’m most disappointed that this isn’t a full length album. Â I just have the sense that more time would allow her to break out of the chains and stretch her vocals and the power guitar that’s also evident in many of the songs. Â Perhaps seeing her live would do the trick: I envision a smoky club with a diva at the microphone and classy cocktails at all the tables.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.