Andrew Whiteman of The Stars and Broken Social Scene released a brilliant new effort under the name Apostle of Hustle. The album is entitled "Folkloric Feel," which is a collection of twelve richly textured tracks varying from indie rock and folk to Spanish/Cuban flavored jazz. The songs are just as impressive as his distinctive track "Looks Just like the Sun" off the last BSS album and are heavily flavored from his visit in El Barrio Santo Suarez en L'habana. "Folkloric Feel" also features many members of Broken Social Scene.
The album begins with an amazing instrumental self-titled opening track. "Folkloric Feel" clocks in at over seven minutes with a gangly guitar and rhythmic drums that evolve like a butterfly taking flight from a cocoon as the beat steadies and an electric guitar and Juno synthesizer compete for the lead melody. Toward the end of the track, everything crashes like the song was slipped a Mickey, with tick tock, clock effect Andrew sings "Everything's in Place, It's On,” and that he is.
"Sleepwalking Ballad," is an amazing song. Andrew whispers in a Jeff
Buckley-esque tone "I went into the wrong house last night and crawled
into the wrong bed / I kissed the wrong woman." The song is dense with buzzes and noises floating through this slow, sultry humid and theatrical groove.
Andrew sings a duet with Amy Milan (of Metric and BSS) on "Baby, You're In Luck;" a calm and breezy lullaby. "Energy of Death" slips into fast gear with a more urgent tempo, delivering a more straightforward indie rock song with a great chorus where Whiteman sings, “All the Gods are driving us in ways, I do not understand.” Andrew steps up to the mic on "Song For Lorea," a lovely waltz and "Animal Fat" which runs with a bossa nova beat. Both have a unique lounge feel.
"Dark Is What I Want / Strutters Ball" picks up the pace again with its urgent intro and chorus, as "Gleaning" explores a more experimental sound, bringing to mind a more playful Tom Waits. The breathy "They Shoot Horses, Don't They" is composed with drunken guitars, organs and a brushed drum kit, which wanders into to the album’s “Untitled,” inaudible closing track.
I hope Apostle of Hustle and its leader Andrew keep on gleaning! This is a brilliant album best listened to post sex while smoking a cigarette. The latter might even be mandatory. Also snoop out the interviews page on this site where earlier this year Andrew spoke of this album, on tour with the Broken Social Scene. |