Listening without paying attention might’ve led me to just discard Ski Lodge’s Big Heart. On the surface it’s music that’s bought on vinyl and appreciated by people who swear Wes Anderson is the closest thing to God that they’ll ever know. Dig deep though and you actually find a record that’s high on the shit talking and resentment; I like.
Ski Lodge is indie encased in a Mean Girl spirit. Obviously the person behind the words and notions was wronged and put all that anger to song, but disguised it with music that’d be perfect for a summer concert. The vocals however had the urgency of fall. They were deeper like the leaves on those months’ calendar pages. That was the case with so many; the music was light, the vocals were a shade darker. Songs like “Boy” and Anything To Hurt You” followed that set up closely.
Dishing out suggestions, I’d say give your attentions to “Dragging Me to Hell” first. Usually lines like “…cut myself just to make you happy” are reserved for emo records, so it was a shock, but one worth mentioning. Next up is “Does It Bring You Down.” That song would be fitting for an 80’s movie montage with its hint of cocaine, and lastly is “Just To Be Like You.” I only bring this one up because it reminds me of a grown up version of Oceanics, and longtime readers know I love those guys too much.
This record almost didn’t get past me in the email stage because it didn’t appeal to what I like. This was a lesson in not judging a book by its cover though. Once I cracked open Ski Lodge, I found they were as mad at things as I am; they just have the musical chops to put it to song. Big Heart is streaming now on Spin and out August 20th on Dovecote Records.
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