Hiss Golden Messenger – Forward, Children: A Fundraiser For Durham Public Schools Students
Merge Records – Out Now
If ever a person was prepared for the hardships life has to offer it is M.C. Taylor. The son of two teachers, who also spent some time teaching at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and married to an ESL teacher, with two children in grade school Taylor has a handle on the struggles of those souls who choose to educate others. As a result, Forward, Children: a Fundraiser For Durham Public Schools Students is a cause that speaks to the heart of the Hiss Golden Messenger leader.
Playing before a hometown crowd on January 11th, just weeks before the world changed, the band is in rare form. From the opening salvos of Call Him Daylight, it’s obvious they are at the top of their game. While it may seem obvious, Taylor spells it out on Biloxi, “There’s one way in, and there’s one way out,” before adding the positive spin, “… and we’re gonna have a good time.”
Hiss Golden Messenger has the ability to revel in the little things like Saturday’s Song, an ode to kicking out the jams on a Saturday night. There’s a restrained fire to When The Wall Comes Down, with the guitars of Taylor, Phil Cook, and Chris Boerner providing a slow burn. Holding down the bottom end, Alex Bingham on bass and drummer Al Smith provide a solid sense of time.
Taylor’s appreciation for teachers is never clearer than on I Need A Teacher. “Another year older, debt slightly deeper, paycheck smaller, Goddamn I need a teacher.” Starting at a fairly sombre pace, Jesus Shot Me In The Head ebbs and flows building on piano and bass before an unholy guitar jam threatens to tear the song apart before coalescing behind a bass groove leading the song to a conclusion.
Southern Grammar rocks with a sense of conviction that comes from a man who believes that the search from truth is worth taking. “Teacher, come teach me. Preacher, come reach me. There’s another way to be happy.” Evan Ringl’s trombone signals a soul groove on Blue Country Mystic while Taylor confesses, “Now they tell me that you’re as wild as I was. Such a crazy dream for a child of mine you who’ve grown so dark with the sun. Tell me your day little wandering one, little wandering one.”
Having someone you can count on is of the utmost of importance these days, and no one appreciates that more than M.C. Taylor and Hiss Golden Messenger. Forward, Children: a Fundraiser For Durham Public Schools Students provides a testament to the unsung heroes who provide for our collective future.
Order via Bandcamp: https://hissgoldenmessenger.bandcamp.com/album/forward-children-a-fundraiser-for-durham-public-schools-students