Mike Pope
Shrouded in secrecy, Mike Pope continues to be the mythological folk apparition of a distant past. A past linked to tall tales, larger-than-life personalities, and an intrigue that had to be sought out to be discovered. For a decade plus, murmurings had been circling regarding this prodigious finger picker and lyrical raconteur in San Diego, CA. Comparisons were drawn, attributing Pope to Leonard Cohen, Bert Jansch, Lead Belly and Taj Mahal. Those who had the opportunity to watch his impromptu performances were unable to track down any musical recordings to prove their wild claims, and he remained a mystery. Thus, like Alan Lomax in the early 1930s, Blind Owl ascended past the veil of the mountain's cloud cover and brought back two distinct records from the vaults of Mike Pope: Songs For People (High & Low) and Ripening.
Songs for People (High and Low) is a ruminative collection of confessions, romantic as it is tragic. Sonically it dances through the rustic Americana of Paul Clayton and Townes Van Zandt while adapting the contemporary tinge of early Andrew Bird and Bon Iver. Lyrically, it delves into the tangled layers of the human psyche, with pensive observations of self-reflection and lone wanderings through expansive fields. From “Mirrors” and its opening delicate three part harmonies, the album nests inside you, slowly loosening its grip for the sweet release of the whiskey drinkin’, banjo chuggin’, washboard scratchin’ of “Maryanne” (the third of three reprises), exemplifying the incredible poignancy yet looseness of Mr. Pope’s capabilities. This is music for memories and the long shadows at dusk; A daydream serenade colored in faded sepias and bruised blues.
Ripening is the antithesis of Songs For People. Like Dylan going electric in ‘65, Mike Pope embraces a grittier poetic punk vision reminiscent of Joe Strummer's solo excursions. While it holds the vocal delivery, lyrical craftsmanship and musicianship of his folkier side, Ripening turns electric and embraces a post punk, no-wave ethos. Think ‘77 Talking Heads and Stephen Malkemus, mixed with a touch of Mdou Moctar psychedelia. The album was tracked live as a single performance and the band is exquisite in its pursuit of raw grandeur. Every song serpentines into the next, devouring the energy of the prior track and transforming it with the imagery of Pope’s storytelling. Ripening is a noble and successful pursuit that exemplifies the fiery range Mike Pope is able to achieve with amplification and a raucous band firing on all cylinders.
