Hampton Street Stage – 12:45
Pascal once said, “The knowledge of man’s misery without that of truth causes despair.” This 350 year old statement snuggly fits with what encompasses all that is E.t. Anderson’s debut, “Et tu, ____?” (The underscore leaving room for the listener to write in their name.) – For man’s misery shines through each and every song.
Sometimes, misery tricks us into thinking it’s a pretty dress. How often is that which gives us happiness turns it’s ugly head and becomes quite the opposite of what it first was. These transformations are found in the psychedelically fashioned, “Displeasured”. As choices lead to misery often, the choices of others which are entirely out of our control, have similar effects. Once the choice is carried out, it’s not the same. The album closer, “It’s not the same” croons, “I will let you down now. That’s what she said.” The simplistic beauty of “it don’t even” turns from bashful optimism to vengeful promise. “You shoulda met me out for dinner but you didn’t, darlin. One day, I’m gon’ get you back for what you did.” Yikes.
Tyler Morris, the line head and mastermind of E.t. Anderson has many names. (See: Clint Daryl, Wilson W. Wilson, E.t., etc…) You can fully hear each personality as they show themselves in each short, yet powerful burst from song to song.
In itself, the angelic interlude, “Love thy neighbor”, prevents a complete crossover in an album which carries all said personalities in each it’s own, yet blurs each song together creating a 25 minute cohesive kaleidoscope, with it’s punchy throbbing bass lines that carry every song, to atmospheric and organ like synths that brings to mind if Richard Wright and Britt Daniel of Spoon were collaborating. The guitar hooks and loose finger picking that you would think Steven Malkmus and Jonny Greenwood decided to birth a child.
The albums immediate imprint is a dissonance between uncertainties and washed up arrogance. It’s honest, even if sarcastically at times. Though the album’s main theme and emotion tossed around is misery, it’s moving, and drastically so.