Nothing is worth doing, you seemed to say
Gin and ice and ash, above the fray
Still you planted your rose gardens
Green-eyed boy, tiny town in wartime.
Smoking in the onion patch, petty crimes but say
You got away.
Your whole life you got away with it—
Love affairs and gutless lies
Gambling debts and alibis
You were wronged
Your whole life you were wrong.
Whatever drove you, forever silent—
Rage and wonder, wit and violence.
Oh but she was cold, a puppeteer,
You should see her now.
Life is long,
ain’t it long.
Found a penny, tossed it, put it in your pocket,
Oh, you son of a gun.
Your sharp eye-teeth under yellow eyes
Tendoned body like a tree, petrified,
You held on.
Heart of a daughter, final days.
We are so alike, you don’t need to say it.
Your cheap watch and your wedding ring
Your two suits at the Sally Ann by morning
You were gone
credits
from Dead Reckoning,
released January 15, 2023
Mark Spencer, rhythm guitar; Connor Schultz, bass, Stéphane San Juan, drums. Tony Scherr, guitar.
The stripped-down approach (mostly piano/organ, bass, drums) favoured here puts the spotlight squarely on Brown's soulful, meditative lyrics and vocals, which are frequently augmented by the sublime Kate Fenner. The arrangements are no slouch either, with perfect flourishes of horns, harmonica and guitar that add to the overall warm folk-soul vibe.
Right on target, so direct, this album feels as natural as the changing seasons and weaves a spell that lingers long after listening. Mike Garrett
As a lifelong fan of psyche, I was delighted to have found this, stunned that I'd missed them for three decades and devastated by the news of Dallas' passing. Makes many of the album's lyrics even more poignant. I hear echoes of the Chocolate Watch Band, Long Ryders and both the pop and country sides of the Byrds. Stunning, and a contender for my album of the year. Iain H