Mother of Earl and the abstract consequences and curious illusory truths of "Circus"

"Tightrope, I just hope that I stay upright / Because last night / I burned the safety net down..."

The abstract consequences and curious illusory truths (??) of "Circus" by the experimental art rock inclined Morgantown, West Virginia bred, Pittsburgh, PA. / Los Angeles, CA. based Mother of Earl, feels beautifully wonky and wonderfully inspired distilling sounds, genres, rock dioramas from iconic places and times in terms of the rock and pop songbook. Formed in 2019 and led by founding members, and fellow West Virginia University students Alex Nanni and Ross Weidman, the two craft songs bringing in additional collaborators when needed. Primary songwriter, Nanni, as a multi-instrumentalist offers (on this track) vocals, electric guitar, piano, synthesizer, organ with Weidman playing drums / percussion and Holly Foster on bass.

I love the aesthetics here, the whimsy, the sideways romance. All perfect for the big top and Nanni's evocative big indie rock voice that, like the music as a whole, has an eloquent patina. The musical constructions have art rock flair and a pure pop prowess as well. It is, by any definition, sophisticated in it's approach and stretch. I can't help but think that Nanni and Weidman are former jazz band kids who are interested in a blendo rock approach at all turns. AND while I have not listened to Mother of Earl's sophomore album "Extinction Burst", just based on the "Circus" alone, I am feeling various degrees of progressive post rock saturated in dream pop ala Pierce The Veil or the Brit rock, psychedelic rock distillations of a band like Super Furry Animals and maybe hints of cabaret punk ala The Jane Austen Argument except a lot less emo with lemony hints of Brian Wilson.

I don't quite know what "Circus" is about but I appreciate the lyrics because they tease you to read between the lines or even construct your own story between paused breathes.

Here are some of those curious words:

"Ava said the old world is behind you
Keep your head down and they won’t find you

Been about a year since I’ve been stateside

Tell me about your fears, she said I think I’ll change my
Name, and now I’m on a mission for a new purpose

Now she is an acrobat in the circus
Steady as she goes, she walks across the wire
Shoot me out a cannon through a ring of fire

The circus leaving town
Is coming back around
So don’t say goodbye

Because you and I, we still got time

You and I, we still got time
You and I, we still got time
You and I, we still got time"

It seems that lately I have little time to stop and smell flowers along the way but I hope that I might just find time to delve into "Extinction Burst".

-Robb Donker Curtius

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/701w1c6cF9rG4tdYXsKMUo

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC10Bx0Y1JvKkiAUAyxVMZ5A

https://motherofearl.bandcamp.com/album/extinction-burst

https://www.instagram.com/motherofearl

https://motherofearl.com/

https://www.facebook.com/motherofearl/



Mother of Earl is a Pittsburgh, PA/Los Angeles, CA based rock & roll band formed in Morgantown, WV in 2019 and led by founding members Alex Nanni and Ross Weidman and supported by a revolving roster of their many talented friends. While attending West Virginia University, the two quickly became best friends after Alex responded to a “Musicians Wanted” flier posted by Ross, and the two bonded over their love of U2's Achtung Baby. Alex currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA, and Ross currently lives in Los Angeles, CA.


Extinction Burst – Mother of Earl’s sophomore album – marks a huge period of growth for the band since their debut album – Look Alive! Extinction Burst showcases better musicianship, higher quality production, and more complex and focused songwriting and themes than its predecessor. However, not all is well on Planet Earl. Over the course of the album’s creation, best friends Alex Nanni (singer) and Ross Weidman (drummer) have experienced family illnesses and the death of parents, the death of friends, bandmates exiting the band, break-ups, cross-country moves, and the banality of 9-to-5 work-life. The world is teetering on the brink, and our heroes continue to struggle through post-college life in a series of tragedies, heartbreak, and poor decision-making. Are friendship and the joy of making music enough to overcome, exorcise the demons, and stop the end of the world?




Mother of Earl, Los Angeles,  Pittsburgh, founding members Alex Nanni and Ross Weidman, alt rock, dreampop, indie rock, post rock, art rock, cabaret punk, abstract songwriting, "Circus", multi-instrumentalist,