Tenth album from prolific songwriter MC Taylor. Consistent is an understatement when it comes to Hiss Golden Messenger’s output over the last decade. From the stripped-back, lo-fi home recordings of Bad Debt to the Brad Cook-produced record Terms of Surrender, HGM has grown into being one of the most prominent acts on Merge’s current roster. Taylor returns to his producer role with Quietly Blowing It, which was written in his home studio throughout the Coronavirus pandemic and recorded in just one week in Durham, NC. Songs like “Mighty Dollar,” “Hardly Town,” and “Sanctuary” reflect on the chaos of 2020, but there’s a sense of hope and spirituality throughout the record, keeping it from getting too despondent. While Taylor gets a lot of comparisons to Bob Dylan—and rightfully so, just listen to his voice—Quietly Blowing It takes just as much influence from Sly and the Family Stone’s There's a Riot Goin' On and The Impressions’ People Get Ready as it does from folk songwriters like the late John Prine. 11 tracks on metallic blue vinyl.
- metallic blue colored vinyl
- indie exclusive
- includes printed insert and giant foldout poster
- limited edition
- music label: Merge Records 2021
reviewed by SHH! 06/2021