Rating: NNNN
There’s no getting around the fact that from start to finish, An End marks a particularly dark period in the life of its creator, KC Spidle. The depressive weight of themes of suicide, alcoholism and drug abuse on this latest from the East Coast songwriter, known more for his various other punk and indie bands (the Hold, Dog Day), almost drags down the listener.
Beneath the inescapable melancholy, though, is a delicate and well-put-together collection of stripped-down songs that conjure the ghosts of Nick Drake and Elliott Smith. Spidle’s voice is sometimes defeated and haunting, sometimes dark and sinister yet always affecting.
Husband & Knife rock the Boat tonight (Thursday, September 11).
