The street cred for Superwolf‘s “knew it was coming” collaboration is about as impressive as you’ll find in the indie scene. Bonnie, of course, is Will Oldham of Palace Brothers fame. Often cited as “both the greatest and most underrated songwriter of his time” (alleged the late Johnny Cash, who covered Oldham’s “I See a Darkness”), Bonnie also manages time to groom a very impressive lip-obscuring stache. Matt Sweeney, who was once briefly a part of the Guided By Voices lineup, also fronted indie heroes Chavez before going onto make Billy Corgan’s Zwan fiasco mildly listenable. Sweeney has also played on a good number of Oldham’s previous work, as well as a few handfuls of other great post-alternative albums. Sweeney regrets the Corgan experience, as does anyone who heard Mary Star of the Sea. So now that we are in agreement (and credentials have been noted), please, continue reading about the cryptic Superwolf.
On last year’s Greatest Palace Music, Oldham finally decided to commit to a full country sound while reworking 15 of his original creative vehicles compositions. While Superwolf does carry the unmistakable folk weight that comes along with Oldham’s vocal stylings, the music, for the most part hides in the shadows of categorization. Not indie rock, country, americana, folk or classic rock, Sweeney’s backdrops are always intricate and uncategorizable.
The album’s opening track, “My Home is the Sea,” slowly builds from a calm strumming intro into a sonically dense, highly creative rock epic, with Oldham singing, “I know nothing and I’m overjoyed / God gave you life and thought, now it’s ours to waste / I have the finest love, and the finest taste / with the sea air in my lung I am home.” One of the finest songs in either artist’s extensive catalogs, “Sea” easily qualifies for one of the year’s best works with its free-association lyrics, soulful vocals and scrupulously ingenious arrangement.
Much of the remainder of Superwolf is slower and much less accessible, clearly maintaining Oldham’s often cryptic nature. “Goat and Ram” sees the boys once again testing out their compositional skills, this time in a somewhat celebratory, albeit subtle manner, as Oldham sings “I’m in love, there’s music playing / a whole new love is fully sane. / Thought fire burns, and war is woven / a hand may strike but still there’s loving.” Cryptic indeed.
Only with repeat listens can recordings this obscure and anomalous be fully digested and appreciated. As much as any “alternative” album this year, Superwolf should divide critics and fans with its peculiar results. One song for certain, the straight-ahead mini-classic “I Gave You,” could leave even the most unpretentious listener affected with its simple, precise wording. As always with Oldham’s lyrics, the message is there, deep within the subtleties, hiding away for the snobs and deep thinkers alike.
Not since Arise Therefore (Palace Brothers) has Oldham released a collection of songs this challenging, and not since Ease Down the Road has his work been so powerful. Another excellent addition to the Oldham canon, Superwolf further cements the master songwriter’s legacy (as if he really needed it). Superwolf should be celebrated by indie, rock and country fans alike.
82/100
