DM Stith
Album: Heavy Ghost
Isaac's Song
There are similarities with the music of Sujfan Stevens, granted. Both incorporate unconventional instrumentation, irregular time signatures, and poetic lyrics. Both are favorites of the alternative press. But while Stevens has achieved a measure of commercial success, DM Stith still flies under the popular radar. This may have something to do with the fact that Stevens is largely impressionistic and his music is consonant, while Stith is largely expressionistic and bathes his music in dissonance In fact, he incorporates some of the most
unconventional harmonies in contemporary music, with a tonal pallet that at times is highly
chromatic. And there's a quasi-mystical
stillness to certain songs, as if he is tapping into some deeper spiritual resource or channeling the music of another world altogether.
Hmmm. Well that sure sounds pretentious. Worse it seems somewhat inaccurate. Words just can't quite do Stith's music justice, I'm afraid. Someone once remarked that writing about music is akin to dancing about architecture; rarely has that seemed clearer to me.
At first blush it would seem as if Stith's music would be almost impossible to duplicate in concert, but he is a remarkable
live performer: an able pianist and an excellent guitarist. His voice has a wispy, otherworldly quality which serves the music well.
Recently a friend asked me to name my current favorite musical artist. DM's my man.
Wow, if he's really as good as you say he is I may need to listen further. However, you seem to enjoy posting the calmest, almost ambient music on Friday afternoons to get me all pumped up for the weekend. Is it wrong to call the music boring if it's going at such a slow pace? I mean, there are times when I'm in the mood for that and can appreciate it more, but you know me and more often than not I need something that has a certain energy to it. I think you're softening up on me David. Where is The Locust crankin', Refused pumpin', Lightning Bolt fanatic I fell in love with that summer night in Tuscany?
ReplyDeleteHaha. Oh Kris, dear Kris... I'll ask you to remember that I'm an old fuck, and as I get older my tastes get mellower. Also, as a guitarist and songwriter I tend to find inspiration in artists like DM Stith and Sufjan Stevens.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely dig noise rock and its neighbors, but for me the affair is more of a one-night-stand variety. Absolutely have to have it, but not every day.
So, um, how long do I have to wait before you start recommending Conway Twitty?
ReplyDeleteYou mean you don't like Conway Twitty?
ReplyDeleteKris, did you seriously find that song boring? I loved it. It might not have been energetic, but, that piano part was downright driving. I was on the edge of my seat for the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteI have never had a problem with dissonance. I've always felt it gives things the un-balance, the leading that the same dissonances would have in consonant music.
I listened to the album when I was in the mood for it and found the album very enjoyable. I never have a good judgement of music the first time I hear it. I definitely need to listen to the group many many times before I feel I can make an appropriate judgement.
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