Album Review: Mama, I'm Swollen by Cursive

Saddle Creek, the record label in Omaha, Nebraska, which is famous for bringing out bands such as Rilo Kiley and Bright Eyes, are releasing Cursive's Mama, I'm Swollen on March 10, 2009.

Right now, you can purchase the digital album on Saddle Creek's webpage for 2$. The price will increase by the dollar up until the CD officially releases which is a very considerate yet signature thing of the record label to do. The label was co-founded by Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes who also started another label called Team Love where they give you the option to download their albums for free or to pay for them. Their goal is simply to get music out to everyone out there, even those who can't afford it. With that said, Saddle Creek is a well-respected record label in the indie music industry so the release of Mama, I'm Swollen has raise great hype amongst their fans. Cursive earned a spot on David Letterman and this will be their national television debut so be sure to look for it on March 13.

With all that said, this album was nothing short of what I expected, if not more. Amongst fans, The Ugly Organ had always been a favorite for its artistic punk soung thrown in with a cello player, but this new album measures up to it with a feeling of its own. It brings you back to the Domestica days with somewhat dark and eerie undertones.

Tim Kasher, the lead singer has a signature theme of subtly referencing fairytales in all of his music. Like the song "Driftwood," in The Ugly Organ, a song titled, "Donkeys," is a referrence to the popular fairytale, Pinocchio. All of the tracks on the album tie in with the same theme of the human condition and mental conflictions that happen with almost anyone at one point in their life, leaving the listener with something to identify with.

Cursive's signature sound is still found on Mama, I'm Swollen in the dark lyrics, artistic guitars and horn instruments while it's different from the others in its own distinctive way. You can really tell that the band had full pull on what they were doing and made it all their own as opposed to many bands now days who write and record what is expected. There aren't many bands left out there like Cursive and you can leave it to Saddle Creek to be the ones to bring you them. Overall, none of the tracks are bad, they all serve their purpose in tying in the theme of the album and like on some CDs you'll come across a song that is too long or uninteresting, you won't find this on Mama, I'm Swollen. It's a very solid album and worth every second to enrich your mind in this almost ride it takes you on when you listen to it.