Beautiful self-destruction
Impulse control seems to be something that many artists struggle with mightily. Whether its sex, drugs, toxic relationships, or just reckless behavior in general, it is impossible for many to stay away from the things that they know are self-destructive, creating heaps of internal conflict, which, luckily for us, makes excellent kindling for raging artistic fires. Indie trio Palehound’s track “Cinnamon,” off of their debut LP Dry Food, recounts singer/guitarist Ellen Kempner’s difficulties with controlling her most damaging impulses. Reminiscent of Mac DeMarco’s “Ode to Viceroy,” “Cinnamon” has a hazy, bedroom-like quality to it; Kempner’s voice is somewhat muted and subdued, in solemn acceptance of her bad habits. Although backed by wildly winding, warbling guitar patterns, much of the song remains relatively calm, only picking up steam with the help of drummer Jesse Weiss’ jazz-inspired efforts that briefly switch to more of a thrashing punk style during the equally brief choruses.
