I like folk, soft gentle folk like Laura Marling and Villagers really tickle my fancy. They’re rooted in tradition whilst still being progressive enough to not be tediously boring (although Villagers can fall foul of that at times). So why then am I struggling so much to enjoy First Aid Kit?
it’s gentle, soft, beautifully sung and the musicianship behind it is stupidly talented. Adding all that in then this should be a shoe in for a double thumbs up from me but something about it wasn’t quite right. I listened to the album again, this time paying more attention and I think I figured out what it is.
This is country.
This album isn’t folk, it’s a faux-country album. It snuck in with light guitar playing and beautiful harmonised singing and then took off it’s cape and revealed it’s horrendous country and western truth.
I hate country music.
Why? I don’t know, but it grates me the wrong way like rational decisions seem to grate Boris Johnson. I can’t enjoy it – the tone of the songs and the hints of religious undertones just irk me. I keep half expecting them to start talking about their pickup truck and Jesus.
I want to like it, I really do, but I really can’t. The songs are nice but that’s it. They’re nice.
I want to like Country, I really do (kinda), but at the same time they are whiny. So damn whiny.
That was that.
Tomorrow, we’re calling the devil’s number.
adamunwin.com 