Freak Scene #115: Massacoustics Bring It Home on 'Water Keeps Rising'
Plus, James MacPherson isn't so sure about singing love songs at a moment when love seems in scarce supply
This week in Freak Scene, we check out the latest from sibling duo the Massacoustics, while James MacPherson is processing some tough feelings on his first solo album.
It sounds like the premise of a feel-good movie: two musician brothers from a small town in Western Massachusetts up stakes for Nashville. There, they land a record deal and tour the world with big names, only to return to the farmhouse whence their journey began. As it happens, that’s the actual backstory, more or less, for guitarist and singer Andrew Thompson and drummer/bassist Matthew Thompson. Though they lived in Norwell, they spent summers as kids on a third-generation farm in Williamstown before heading south to record as the Thompson Brothers in the ’90s for RCA Records. In 2000, they rebranded themselves the Massacoustics and, at some point, established their home base on the family spread in the Berkshires.
They’ve been releasing music sporadically ever since, including their new album Water Keeps Rising. It’s a collection of burly roots-rock songs that, despite the duo’s name, are not acoustic at all. In fact, Andy Thompson’s superheated electric guitar parts are the most prominent feature here, with an overdriven tone that crackles and snarls when he solos on “Magnolia Tree” or comps his way through big, ringing chords on “Die Easy.”
The brothers play together with the practiced polish of musicians who have been doing it for long enough that each automatically knows where the other is going — the fruit of decades of collaboration. They often sing close harmonies, with Matt Thompson’s voice sweetening the whiskey-and-cigarettes rasp of his brother’s lead vocals. Their harmonies lend a doleful tone to “Magnolia Tree” as they mourn a destructive version of “progress,” and add emphasis to the follow-your-own-path message of “Outside the Outsiders,” where Matt Thompson’s slow, heavy bassline and thumping drum part serve as an anchor.
Though the Thompsons’ Music City heyday came 30 years ago, the fickle music sensibilities of the place seem to have made an impression: “Nashville, I still love you even though you made it clear that your world goes on just fine without me here,” Andy sings on “Nashville,” a slow, rueful number about the creeping spread of anonymity in a city prone to throwing over today’s established talent in favor of tomorrow’s up-and-comers. But who needs that? The Massacoustics’ sound on Water Keeps Rising has more of a heartland feel than a Music Row vibe, and that kind of music doesn’t need Nashville to thrive. In fact, apart from the lamentable dearth of hot chicken around here, a farmhouse in Williamstown seems like a great place to be.
James MacPherson Bears Witness on ‘All This Happened’
James MacPherson is working through some things on All This Happened, the South Windsor singer’s first solo album outside his indie-rock trio Bonsai Trees. Though MacPherson tries a number of musical approaches over these 10 tracks — the album grew out of a project to write 30 songs for his manager — a certain despairing tone unifies them.
That makes sense: MacPherson told me these songs encompass a period in his life that includes the pandemic, the death of his grandparents, a breakup and the dire political climate of the 2020s. That’s a lot to process, and MacPherson hasn’t had an easy time making sense of any of it. “The theme of this album is that there is often nothing to say about the most horrific stuff in life and finding humor or dark humor in that is important,” he says by email.
That manifests in a desire to escape from problems with no apparent solution on opening song “Arizona,” where deceptively bright layers of wordless vocals bookend downhearted verses. Later, on “Hell No, I’m Not Proud,” he’s having trouble reconciling his musical pursuits with the horrors he sees in the news. “It’s hard to sing love songs right now, now that the love’s gone,” he sings with wringing emotion over a strong, strummed acoustic guitar part and a blanket of keyboards. The seeming futility of making music while the world burns comes up again on “Worst Song I’ve Ever Heard,” an emo-leaning blast of anguish where he picks apart his own lyrics, vocals and a perceived lack of courage while guitars roar around him.
“This album asks a lot of questions I don’t have the answer to but trusts in the fact that speaking about these issues connects people together, a problem shared is a problem halved and joy shared is joy doubled,” MacPherson says.
That’s fair enough, and the songs on All This Happened are skillfully done, and frequently catchy. I’d add just one observation as a counterweight: art is essential in times like these, and it need not reflect the horrors around us. Yes, the present moment often feels like a dystopian hallucination, but if love is gone right now, that’s all the more reason to sing love songs.
Upcoming Concerts
These are new shows announced this week. The full concert calendar is available here for paid subscribers.
The Arcadia Folk Festival returns Aug. 29 to Mass Audobon's Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton. Performers include Allison Russell, the Milk Carton Kids, John Craigie, Fantastic Cat (who just released a very good new album), Caitlin Canty, Lisa Bastoni and Little Roots, with more to come (tickets).
The Meriden Daffodil Festival in Connecticut marks its 48th year May 2-3 at Hubbard Park in Meriden. Performers include the Manchurians, the Bargain, Sister Funk, Perennial, Audio Jane, Eddie Seville, Orquesta la Yunquena, Someone You Can X-Ray, Anne Castellano & the Smoke, Inner Groove, Big Fat Combo, Belle of the Fall, the Name Droppers and more. The festival is free; check here for details and the full lineup.
Jack White performs July 18 at College Street Music Hall in New Haven. The show sold out in a flash, but sometimes tickets become available.
Tree House Brewing in South Deerfield features Shakey Graves and Dope Lemon July 23 (tickets), Gin Blossoms Aug. 3 (tickets) and Violent Femmes Aug. 13 (tickets).
Beth Orton performs Sept. 20 at the Shea in Turners Falls (tickets).
The Iron Horse hosts former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted & the Chophouse Band July 1 (tickets), Samantha Crain July 19 (tickets), the James Hunter Six Aug. 12 (tickets) and Heather Maloney Oct. 23 (tickets) and Oct. 24 (tickets).
The Marigold Theater in Easthampton hosts Grammerhorn Wren May 8 with Stunt Meridian and Snowglobe Almanac (tickets) and La Banda Criolla May 23 (tickets).
Promotörhead presents Lesotho, Hauzu and Draiodoir May 30 at the Heavy Culture in Easthampton (tickets).
The Drake in Amherst features Berkshires-based rapper Jackson Whalan May 8 with Enzi (tickets), Bunnies, Wet Tuna and Sunburned Hand of the Man May 22 (tickets) and Bird Band Jam Aug. 6, featuring bands made up of attendees at the American Ornithological Society conference at UMass (tickets).
The Space Ballroom in Hamden hosts Mdou Moctar solo June 1 (tickets), Adjust the Sails July 21 (tickets) and Sparta Sept. 20 (tickets).
Want to perform as part of First Night Northampton this year? The application process is now open.
Thank you for reading! Previous issues are available in the online archive. Freak Scene is free, but donations help make this happen and are gratefully accepted. If you have the means, please consider a paid subscription!
Add a comment: