Adeem the Artist – Anniversary
If only this whole “anti-woke” mess could be dispelled with a simple listening exercise. As I took in Adeem the Artist’s new album, it occurred to me – again – that many of their (yes, we’ll be using neutral pronouns in this piece – get used to it) stories aren’t much different than anyone else’s – just more artfully worded. The record’s title – Anniversary – itself is a tribute to Adeem’s spouse. Along with country love songs and family stories, though, Adeem dives into societal issues – violence, racism, anti-trans bigotry – with equal passion, because these issues aren’t something they can stand to stay silent on.
Anniversary begins, though, with something not societally Earth-shattering, but rather a time-tested road song. “There We Are” is a Western gothic haunt portraying the early days of both their musical career – “On a highway/With an empty gallon water jug/Bag wrapped/Gas/Dragging our feet back to/My Dad’s old Pontiac” – and their relationship – “And in my pocket/A ring of all things.” Twangy rocker “Nancy” follows up with a clash between love and sex and mental illness – “That’s why we’re hollering all over the house and following each other down/Spiraling out.” Here, love isn’t a battlefield as much as it is mine field, and maintaining the relationship requires great care…and mindful steps.
If it’s shiny radio country you want, Adeem delivers…in their own distinct way. “One Night Stand” would feel comfortable playing from your car stereo via a Discman connected via a cassette adapter (it’s a 90s thing), complete with a tryst – “He wants a one night stand/I want a life full of nights with him” – that becomes more – “And when I take his hand in mine, he doesn’t stop me/’Cause when the timing’s right, you take it in and don’t look back.” Forget the genders – it’s just a good damn love song. “Rotations” is an acoustic ballad (with a wisp of muted trumpet) about parenting and the rapid passage of time filtered through an astrological prism – “How many rotations am I gonna get with you/To share with you the wisdom and magic spells I have accrued?” I’m not a parent, but I’m guessing that no amount of days, years or Saturn returns would be quite enough.
Adeem addresses politics most directly on “Nightmare.” The heartland rocker, featuring standout background vocals from Katie Pruitt, upends the idea of “Don’t tread on me,” applying it to Southern religious conservatives – “Suppose some senators decide/Your worship is obscene?/All-ages Sunday service/Suddenly’s a felony.” A response to Tennessee’s anti-drag bills and queer and trans bigotry at large, the song has Adeem proposing the simplest of detentes – “I promise not to tread on you/If you don’t tread on me.” And while this is the most outward social justice appeal on Anniversary, the much gentler “Part & Parcel” reminds us that it’s all the pieces of us, however opposing, that make us, well, US – “Chase all of these contradicting versions/Childhood perversions, and dreams that never steered.” Adeem sums up their songs with one brief, simple line toward the end of the track – “A coward called courageous by virtue of my trade.” The only cowardice, though, would be NOT writing these songs.
Song I Can’t Wait to Hear Live: “Plot of Land” – this old-school, reverb-y rock ‘n’ roller takes another slap at hate – “Now, there’s senators in every state/Seeking new bigotry to legislate” – but also dreams the (rapidly disappearing) American Dream – “So baby I’m gonna find us a plot of land/With a little house to put a family in” – and wraps it all in a squall of guitars.
Anniversary was produced by Butch Walker and mixed and mastered by Robbie Artress. Musicians on the album include Megan Coleman (drums), Nelson Williams (bass, upright bass), Jessye DeSilva (piano, synth, Rhodes, Mellotron, background vocals), Ellen Angelico (lead guitar, mandolin, banjo, baritone guitar), Aaron Lee Tasjan (electric guitar), Butch Walker (background vocals, electric guitar), Katie Pruitt (background vocals), Owen Fadar (saxophone), Michael Daugherty (trombone), Davis Ginn (trumpet).
Go here to order Anniversary (out May 3): https://www.fourquartersrecords.com/
Check out tour dates here: https://www.adeemtheartist.com/shows
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Adeem the Artist “White Trash Revelry”