In my opinion, the most important commandment is that you should become a better person every day. Let’s see If Slim Cessna’s Auto Club agree.
The band was formed in Denver in 1992. Their attachment to the city’s music scene is more than obvious. First associations that come to my mind when I think about this city are Goth Americana and alternative country, but what Slim Cessna’s Auto Club do is a special type of story. Ever since their first live album American Country Music Changed Her Life, it was clear that this band is not only a music project, rather a group of people who are trying to reinterpret the perception of country music and American South. Even further, they are trying to challenge the mere concept of genre and labels.
The connection between the band members is conspicuous on each release, and their synergy is manifested on multiple levels. From writing lyrics and production to studio and live performances, these people function as one organism. Every limb and organ of this organism does his job with joy.
When it comes to their style, band has kept their hallmark – the sound closest to Gothic Americana and alternative country. Still, their sound is not to be put in a box. SCAC reinterpret country and intertwine it with gospel and blues. We can conclude that their orientation is synthesis of American music, culture and tradition from the perspective of people who have a goo sense of irony.
The Commandments According to SCAC is their most interesting release yet, although I must say I really enjoyed their previous albums – Always Say Please and Thank You and Chipper. This album is to be taken both lightly and seriously. It is a high quality album, with good structure and wise concept. Each song is a separate, inspiring story. Ethos of this album is that we set the rules and those rules are supposed to make us better human being. At the same time, we shouldn’t take life too seriously, rather accept our creative momentum and have fun with music, art, poetry.
The commandments are not literally commandments. Those are curt stories that should serve as a mirror for those who listen to them. The album starts with Commandment 1 and the line I say this almost sincerely. So, these commandments are confessions, but not from the perspective of culprit, but someone who wants to be a better person while being auto-ironic at the same time. My favorite is Commandment 3. Munly’s and Slim’s singing sound perfectly united until Rebecca Vera joins them with her obscure vocal.
There is a hole where your heart used to be is how Commandment 7 starts and it is one of the best moments of the whole record because each member has poured their rock heart into it.
Overall, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club proved that they know how to have fun, and it never comes out as banal.
