This Swedish-born singer songwriter has the baritone voice of a crooner who worries about appearing overly intense, like a 'poppier' version of Mark Lanegan.
For this, his fifth album, he says: "I tried to write positive lyrics that made me laugh" but it's not an album of comedy moments. The messages are serious even though they are delivered with a light touch.
Recognising that none of us are getting any younger, he sings about living in the moment, learning from mistakes and staying true to your beliefs.
The standout track for me is Once I Almost Killed A Horse in which he tags together a series of events in his life that have forged his character: "moments of love, moments of truth, moments of life led me to you".
Them Feet, the title track, is a quirky love song ("I'm gonna dance with you when you get old") but is also about following life's ragged road with some measure of dignity.
A more poignant story song of ageing and reminiscence is June's Memory Lane. Based on Kent Nerburn's short story A Sweet Lesson In Patience, a taxi driver gives a free ride to an old lady on her way to a hospice, taking her on a tour of places she remembers from her life.
Lyrically, Levin, perhaps with some help from occasional collaborater Brian Hobbs, is skilled at a kind of poetic paradox; three examples are: "learn to sit before you learn how to stand" (Pull Yourself Together), "understanding can be misunderstood" (As Long As It's Good) and "imperfection makes us sane" (Father To A Son).
|
The story of a Company Manliving a lie and working hard to make the shit shine is an unambiguous rejection of straight society and a direct contrast to the sentiments of King Neptune where his sound advice is to live your dreams and "keep it true".
After listening to a random selection of songs from his back catalogue, which I was not previously familiar with, my impression is that Tom Levin has found his voice with this album.
There's a real sense of urgency and momentum lacking in his past material. The fact that he plans to release a follow up before the year is out suggests that he knows he's on something of a roll.
Tom Levin's website
|
