First let me say this: I love folk music. When I was just a little girl, I would always listen when my older sisters played Joan Baez; Peter, Paul and Mary; and Arlo (and Woodie) Gurthie. Now that I'm older, I still relish the music of those master folk musicians and have added other folk artists to my personal "must play" list — Fairport Convention, Tom Rush, and Christine Lavin.
The melodies, the passion, the simple rhythms rope me in. Even if I don't agree with what the particular song protests (and I'm pretty liberal so believe me, there aren't many instances) I still appreciate the passion with which the arguments are made and the artistry of the music.
Now along comes Adam Balbo's folk album 6 Outta 9 w/ Beats. With all due respect, I have probably heard worse music with a folk sound, but I honestly can't remember when. I also can't remember when I was happier to have a CD end.
Someone needs to tell Balbo that there's a difference between straightforward and sophomoric playing. I understand looking for a "pure" sound -- but this isn't it. I will say this, though — his guitar and harmonica playing is a lot better than his singing and songwriting.
Let's read just a few of the lyrics from the song, "Let's Make a Porno."
"Don't mind pornstars, but you know its not the same, see, they get paid to fuck each other, then there's all that fame, but we still get to get it on, in sweet obscurity so, let's make a porno, and watch it for free."
OK, no how about a few lines from "Long Quick Tango?"
"I woke up this morning with your armpit in my face, there was faint BO, mixed with that tampon taste, morning breathe and dried lube which was caked on my penis, naught between us, when you queefed in my face.:
Think you've heard this before? You may have. These are the type of deep, insightful thoughts you're probably heard yelled among unsupervised middle-school students attempting to one-up each other.
Many well-known musicians bemoan today's music. They are concerned that some of the newer artists don't study genres or musicians of years gone by. Instead the new artists, they say, dive into the mix with half-hearted attempts to copy classic sounds. I submit this CD as Exhibit A.
Article comments
1 - Anna Creech
Ouch! Thanks for the warning.
2 - leeza
With all due respect, I have probably read more stilted reviews, but I honestly can't remember when.
I'm in disbelief of the neo-conservative slant of this one. Yeah, let's promote more 'sophisticated' artists who write about obscure and subtle motions of their souls. We surely don't need any honest, down to earth lyrics that real people can relate to. Oh, the sentiments were too middle-school for you? Did you not pick up on all the satire and humor in the songs? Obviously not. You sound like a dried up wall flower -- people like you should stick to their office filing and stop pretending that they understand anything about art.
3 - Nancy
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. As I told Adam when he wrote me, I wish him the best of luck in the future.
Signed,
Dried Up Old Flower Who Is Filing