Description
A Wednesday song is like a rich quilt, a collection of short - stories and half - memories. It's a patchwork portrait of the American South, where disparate moments blend into a cohesive whole. Karly Hartzman, the driving force behind the project as songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist, is both a story collector and teller, a true student of people and one - liners. 'Rat Saw God', the Asheville quintet's best new record, is both ekphrastic and autobiographical, full of deep empathy. Across its ten tracks, Hartzman, guitarist MJ Lenderman, bassist Margo Shultz, drummer Alan Miller, and lap/pedal steel player Xandy Chelmis create a tribute to the little things. The album features half - funny, half - tragic dispatches from North Carolina, with sounds between 90s shoegaze wailing and classic country twang. The distorted lap steel and Hartzman's voice cut through the noise. 'Rat Saw God' takes you on a bike ride in Greensboro's suburbs, listening to My Bloody Valentine on an iPod Nano. You pass a creek full of broken glass and condoms, a front yard with rusted car parts, and a house reclaimed by kudzu. It touches on Four Lokos, rodeo clowns, and a kid burning a corn field. It includes roadside monuments, church marquees, vodka in a plastic bottle, and the oddities of Jewish summer camp. The album captures the South's all - night hum from summer to fall, the sound of high - school football games, and the light pollution. The songs on 'Rat Saw God' tell everyday stories, real and chaotic, in line with Hartzman's belief that every life story is worth telling. You don't need all the references to feel the song's elation. It's in the small moments that add up to create a song, an album, and a unique experience.
Using this 'Rat Saw God' limited - edition purple vinyl LP is easy. Just place it on your record player and let the music play. You can enjoy it at home during a quiet evening, or have it on in the background at a small gathering. When handling the vinyl, make sure your hands are clean to avoid getting dirt or fingerprints on it. Store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight to prevent warping. If the record gets dusty, use a soft, anti - static brush to gently clean it. This will help keep the sound quality high for a long time.
