Oh, This Album? It’s All Hersh

Uncertainty is the theme of Kristin Hersh’s new album Possible Dust Clouds, a ten-track project that feels shorter than others of the same length due to Hersh’s previous work clocking in at twenty-four songs. Uncertainty can be felt throughout almost any one song here and felt even more intensely when swimming between tracks. Uncertain of its role as an artistic expression–is it a cohesive album or a semi-similar collection of ten songs? Uncertain whether or not it wants to say something or make people feel something (though both can happen together).

Adult angst is sprinkled all over this bad boy, occasionally augmented by casually decadent guitar licks (“No Shade in Shadow” is an example of that). At the moments where adult youth is less present, films seem to form around Ms. Hersh’s tunes. “Half Way Home” is a long (ten minutes, realistically) walk home while a protagonist and friends are hallucinating from either acid or shrooms or something of the like. It is the most visual of the bunch and is thus a contender for best track.

There are some good lyrical moments, but they are never at the helm of the songs from which they come. Hersh’s singing usually sounds tired (not only in the sleepy sense but also the “tired of your b.s.” sense) and frankly, sometimes witchy, heard in “No Shade in Shadow.”

The easy pick for best instrumental moment is the guitar opening of “Foxpoint”–just five seconds in and the ears are hooked. “Tulum” has a very slight drag in the beat (as played by the drums) that pleases the more musically-inclined listeners and might get passed over by others. However, other than these moments, it’s not a super musically interesting album–bordering on being dull actually. Three listens through the whole project and little to nothing dazzles or keeps listeners coming back. But not all music has to do that.

Overall, not a spectacular but certainly not a bad project. If this brand of indie-punk is down the listening avenue, then jump on this one right away; if not, be as open-minded as possible. If you’re uncertain about this genre, then step right up.