Weekly Review: The Crane Wives – Coyote Stories
hey yall! while i was on break, we had some suggestions come into the Weekly Review box, so we’ll be bringing back those reviews until i empty the box! first up on the docket is Coyote Stories – a 2015 album from folk band The Crane Wives, based outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. this is my first time even hearing of them, so im pretty excited. lets dig in!
its very interesting listening to this in a post-Decemberists discography listen. its not like folk and folk pop wasnt on the rise in the early 2010s, but i do hear a lot here that reminds me (postively) of other stuff. that’s not the only influence – Hard Sell, for example, reminds me of some of my favorite songs off of Panic at the Disco!’s Pretty Odd, but i definitely found myself pondering the connection (it… doesnt help that they were named after the Decemberists album, a fact i did not learn until after a few listens).
but yeah! this is a really strong album! Keep You Safe is an excellent album opener, contemplative and reflective. The Moon Will Sing is a great way to follow up the opener – i really dig the core of the chorus, the “i shine only with the light you give me”. the aforementioned Hard Sell kicks ass, and i really like the rambling transition into Rockslide. The Hand That Feeds feels v classical, real a down and out lament. LOVE the instrumentation on Sleeping Giants – the intro is incredibly stirring every time, fitting for the subject of the song. and the bridge, where the instruments drop out for the group vocals, with only the drums coming back in before the end of the track – just delightful.
i think even the tracks that weren’t massive hits for me had some great bits – the choruses on Allies or Enemies or Little Soldiers are really really good, and there’s a chance ill change my opinions on those two in the future. Never Love an Anchor has a very effective metaphorical core – the same type of “ah, right” moment that The Moon Will Sing has.
i really like the vocals throughout the record – Emilee Petersmark and Kate Pillsbury put in some phenomenal tracks through the record. they do a fun push and pull lyrically that a lot of bands with dual vocalists can do and its extremely effective here.
on the whole, really dug this one! extemely tight package of tracks.
faves – Keep You Safe, The Moon Will Sing, Unravelling, Hard Sell, The Hand That Feeds,
dislikes –
Coyote Stories – 8/10
support the band by checking this release out on bandcamp
for the next Weekly Album Review, i’ll be taking a look at Bu-ikikaesu, by MAXIMUM THE HORMONE. i’ll be back on Friday, February 7th, with that review and to pick another weekly record if there’s anything in the inbox, and in the meantime, let me know what album you’d like me to review! (i pool all suggestions in one place, and draw a person, then one pick from that person, so feel free to drop as many as you’d like! if you leave an email or username i’ll contact you when i’ve gotten through all your suggestions.
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