02/Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti/Mature Themes
Autumn, 2012. Los Angeles. Two Black Guys. A kitchen. Total silence between them and their respective duties, except for the soundtrack in the arena being provided by APHG's Mature Themes.
BLACK GUY #1: Did he just say "Who sank my Battleship?"
BLACK GUY #2: Yes. Yes he did.
Cause Ariel Pink is hilarious.
You'd be forgiven if, at any given point during your streaming of Mature Themes you find yourself wondering if you're listening to one of the year's best comedy albums. There's the "I Can't Get Enough of these Bitches!" shout + crack of the whip & giddy ups on a song titled "Symphony of the Nymph"; The 'mama say mama sa mamakusa" aside on a track titled "Farewell American Primitive"; He asks us to "step into his time warp" at one point; The entirety of "Schnitzel "Boogie" which yes, is about a craving and run to that fast food chain; The battleship moments from above, and so on and so on. Yes, it's all so sly and tongue in cheek. Jokes & good times all around. But Ariel Pink is a musician first, and a comedian/dude with a wry sense of humor second. We're delighted for the smiles, but we come back and first arrive for the tunes. And "Mature Themes" delivers on that front. Deliciously.
You shouldn't (or can't) skip through Mature Themes, as it is meant to be digested in full. Sure, favorite songs, repeats and such will make themselves known, but Mature Themes works better as a full long player. MT sparkles track for track cause it's made by a trio in lockstep, aptly handling the often dazzling neurotic takes on Pop & R&B from Mr. Pink. Like, AP albums before it, Mature Themes is a winner in combining a vast array of sounds and genres from decades past, yet making them present, giving new life. Whether it be rhythm and blues (The sterling Dam-Funk featuring cover of Joe and Donnie Emerson's "Baby"; Dance friendly synth jams ("Pink Slime", "Symphony of the Nymph"); Or just some good old fashioned understated folk/country rock ("Only in My Dreams").
In addition to the sunny little moments like the one that broke through the silence in the room for the fellas up above.
Did he say, 'Who sank my battleship?'
Yes. Yes he did.
Cause Ariel Pink is hilarious.
And Mature Themes?
Something serious.
I'm so sincere.
KEY TRACKS: Only in My Dreams/Pink Slime/Baby
03/Fiona Apple/The Idler Wheel
04/Miguel/Kaleidoscope Dream
05/Kendrick Lamar/Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City
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