Sometimes I can't tell you what "Spaceships," the lead track on Patchwork's new album Take Me Down the Interstate, is ultimately "about." But Nelson has an nonchalant way of relating a story that makes his fractured descriptions of a pharmacology student who's gained a taste for pharmaceuticals and an imaginary drinking session in the empty, open spaces of South Dakota sound both interesting and strange. Cross Gram Parsons with the Lou Reed of Loaded, and you might come up with something similar to the way Nelson tweaks the folk-rock formula. With the exception of the aforementioned coda, the production is spare but supportive, and while none of the instrumental work is flashy, it sets the dreamy, somewhat narcotized mood perfectly well. Undoubtedly, the same folks who fell for Johns' various indie-rock and alt-country projects are sure to connect with "Spaceships," but the song's appeal doesn't end there. Frankly, anyone with a taste for cosmic cowboy pickin' is likely to warm to Nelson's laid-back rumination. An MP3 of the track is available in the related downloads at right. More songs by the group can by listened to on its MySpace page. Patchwork is opening along with The Scarring Party for a show with The Bowerbirds at the Memorial Union Terrace on Thursday, July 17. Further upcoming appearances in Madison also include performances at Café Montmartre on August 1 and The Weary Traveler on August 6. Take Me Down the Interstate was released online last week, and will be made available on disc for a CD release party at The Frequency on August 15. MadTracks highlights and provides MP3s of songs performed by local musicians. All tracks here are provided with permission of the artist. If you are a musician based in the Madison metro area and are interested in sharing your work as a MadTrack, please send a message.
ISTHMUS is © 2021 Isthmus Community Media, Inc. | All rights reserved. | Madison, Wisconsin | USA
Built with Metro Publisher™
