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"New Mother" (the 1999 debut) still contained traces of the sparse nihilism his previous band were exploring at the time of their termination, "How I Loved You" (2001) was an emotional wringer of acoustic ballads, existential torment, introspective nadir. "Everything Is Good Here" (2003) reprised the classic Gira formula a bit and yet showed clearly that an album like this new one would eventually emerge. "Sing Other People's Songs" (2005) took the minimalistic tendencies of this band to their limit and now with "We Are Him" the full potential of this man's songwriting is unleashed. The title track is almost a gospel revival styled tune and if I think on it a bit more, I can see Gira up front in his brown suit and cowboy hat calling up the faithful to receive their "healing". I must say, this album has done wonders for me and perhaps it is because of the embittered state of my life currently I take so much pleasure in listening to it as much as I do. "Good Bye Mary Lou" is quite the kiss-off as it roars through the stages of severance. "Mary Lou, I forgive you" intones our hero at the coda but I hear much more than simple acceptance in that line. And so will you. I don't know if many artists are capable of doing their best work this far into their career but I am tempted to declare this man has. It is most certainly on par with his crushingly authoritative 1987 Skin album "Shame Humility Revenge". Only time can tell if it will become the measure by which all other works are judged but the more I listen, the more ensnared in it I become. The deeper the cut is made. Don't play this one around the uninitiated, they might not grasp the beauty. PETER MARKS |
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