Song Of The Day No.18

The Day Texas Sank To The Bottom Of The Sea

by Micah P. Hinson (Micah P. Hinson & The Gospel Of Progress, 2005)

This, the album closer, at eight minutes and twenty-four seconds is a tender account of an unrequited love. The song is one big emotive build up that eventually just fades out into nothing but leaves you with a lot.

Slowly picked and slightly clunking electric guitar sets the scene alone before Hinson, self-deprecatingly, makes a careful analysis; “Here's all, that I have, to give, I'll admit it's, not a lot but it's all that I've got, to hang myself with”. The lyrics, laid down in such a slow manner that they're almost impossible to follow, dominate proceedings and Hinson's gravel track voice warms and fills the sound-scape so much so that when, at two and a half minutes in, we hear something other than guitar and voice - some strings - you feel the song get physically bigger.

The strings constantly waver but hold firm and gather strength as they go, Hinson returns with a slightly less graveled backing singer to gradually take the reins back and lead us onwards. When the band finally comes together it feels like an orchestra; choir-esque harmonies, full rhythm section, organ pipes blowing, all controlled by the strength in Hinson's voice and the slow acoustic guitar strumming. A cello leads the strings in the fade out. It finishes and we can all breath again.

AR