Holy Moly. Chris Staples

There are albums that do not need a lot of words. Simply because the album is soft-toned yet solid as brick. Holy Moly is such an album.

It starts with a song called 'World On Fire'. The tempo, the urgency, the attack, all suggest all but a world on fire. Chris Staples is everything but in a hurry. The song sounds more as if he is totally in sync with the world as it is and resigned to his fate.

What does catch the ear, is the fact 'World On Fire' is not your run of the mill singer-songwriter song. Staples plays more and more with electronics and throws his voice through some kind of autotune or vocoder to disrupt; not to please.

It this element that puts Chris Staples apart and what to my ears makes Holy Moly a charming if different album. In the title song, the second on this album, again Staples throws in some disruption in the form of the very present drums(machine?). It gives the somewhat dreamy way Chris Staples sings a directness anyway.

Promo photo

Holy Moly is the result of a new period in Chris Staples' life. The period after he stopped drinking and returned to that well of inspiration he knew as a teenager. A well that had been covered over with alcohol. This does not make Holy Moly a joyous album. Well, in the sense that this is a good album to listen to, yes, just don't expect any song and dance routines or jokes. Holy Moly is a soft, contemplative album, of which there are many and just as many that have the quality Holy Moly has as well. This album does not stick out, but sure holds its ground. Dreamy, with a great undertone and a strong feel for the little melodies in between. Add the pleasant voices of Chris Staples and you must be getting my soft side of Elliot Smith drift.

These are really all the words I need to point you towards Holy Moly. Go on, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Wo.

https://chrisstaples.bandcamp.com/


or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g