Title - 'Pass Like Pollen'
Artist - Cartalk
On the scene since 2017, Chuck Moore’s solo project Cartalk has been years in the making, aptly escalating from one late-night text, “Love our car talks”, to a dear friend.
With a sound that lingers like a set of fingerprints on the dashboard, Cartalk's pivotal premiere Pass Like Pollen (out August 28th, 2020) will leave you yourselves with the impression of those unadulterated conversations, a recall to all that can be intimate and infinite in such exchanges.
In a press statement, Moore explained that Pass Like Pollen is actually a breakup album, which explains why it one minute sounds so defiant, the next is embedded with a renewed sense of purpose. “Pass Like Pollen distills the aftermath of a relationship," Moore explains.
"Both the beautiful fragments I want to hold on to and the dismal ones I hold a light to, so I will never forget what loss of self-worth looks like.”
1. 'Arroyo Tunnels' (2:28)
2. 'Noonday Devil' (3:20)
3. 'Las Manos' (5:10)'
4. 'Wrestling' (3:29)
5. 'Car Window' (3:05)
6. 'A Lesson' (3:44)
7. 'Driveway' (5:16)
8. 'Something or Nothing' (3:00)
9. 'Sleep' (3:32)
Opening with the Americana, late night California drive, top off, windows down, free flowing desert winds ambiance of 'Arroyo Tunnels,' that's backed by the moderated jangling guitar work of 'Noonday Devil,' the deceptively quiet, then screechingly alt-rock vibe of of 'Las Manos,' before a bouncy pop flow if brought to the fore on 'Wrestling.'
The drum-led 'Car Window' is one of my own personal favorites, embraced with unadulterated affectation, it is followed by the lo-fi 'A Lesson,' the dulcet, ebbing throb of 'Driveway,' with this quite magnificently heartfelt indie rock project rounding out on the achingly acoustic guitar work of 'Something or Nothing,' closing on the melodic twang of the dispirited, yet ebullient 'Sleep.'
Pass Like Pollen was produced by Sarah Tudzin, a.k.a. Illuminati Hotties, and features numerous contributions from musicians that have also worked with Lucy Dacus, Vagabon, Runnner, and more.
Collin Pastore (boygenius, Julien Baker) mixed the record, and it was mastered by Jett Galindo (Neil Young, Nile Rodgers) at the LA institution The Bakery.
You can order Pass Like Pollen now at www.cartalk.bandcamp.com.
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