Max Foreign Keen and the sad (and or) pitiable punk pop emo-stained "Bird Tattoo" leaves a mark

 

"I hope she says hi to me"

It's funny. When enjoying, sometimes reveling in new music I really don't hope to find anything in particular and I can forgive a lot, poor production, lo-fi recordings (like even really lo-fi recordings) or notes that are so far into the dissonant category that they are not anymore but simply off key. All that is secondary if there is truth held in the song, even kernels of truth sprinkled in. I am too cynical (at times) to feel connected to something that feels false. Poseur music is the worst thing, like plastic food.

"Bird Tattoo" by Max Foreign Keen feels to me like a kind of punk pop sadcore emo-ish, Jeff Rosenstock meets Matt Berninger (The National) meets Rex Orange County meets Codeine and others. The affection for Rex Orange County might feel a bit too obvious in terms of some of the chord changes, directions but any derivative stuff is beside the point as Keen swings and self punches more deeply.

"I'm so obsessed (to?) fell in love on the bus, we haven't met or spoken yet, she's reading my favorite book I've never read, I should of learned how to drive instead"

In a warbled voice and in a self loathing way, it feels a bit like the self deprecating truth / comedy of Louie C.K.'s performance in Louie or Ben Stiller's downtrodden character's in so many of his films. Whether pathos or pathetic you either want to give Keen a hug or slap him across the face and say. "Snap out of it".

He says that "Bird Tattoo" is about "romanticizing a stranger in public and wanting to be with this person while in a failing relationship" and maybe it is the weirdness here that is intriguing but also in some way relatable.

Tonally "Bird Tattoo" is maybe (for some) full of flaws and not a conventional song, the length was not oppressive though as the musical narrative is changing. There is not much change though in the sadness, the should of's, and maybe even the wallowing seemingly cast in amber.

Still, full of those kernels of truth.

-Robb Donker Curtius

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THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:

Max Foreign Keen
Vancouver, British Columbia
https://maxforeignkeen.bandcamp.com/

Bird Tattoo is a 9 minute Indie Rock/Indie Pop song pulling from artists such as Rex Orange County, Car Seat Headrest, Bright Eyes and Perfume Genius. It's romanticizing a stranger in public and wanting to be with this person while in a failing relationship.

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