SONGS THAT DEFINE THE DECADE: #2

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There’s a reason why the central thought stream of ‘Hissing Fauna…’ clocks in at just under twelve minutes. There’s many a reason actually. The most noticeable however, is the context. Kevin Barnes, freshly rid of the divorce papers, angst-ridden, a mess. The album in its entirety covers the emotional stress of being with somebody and ‘The Past Is A Grotesque Animal’ is every nervous tick in Barnes’ head transported into a building, monstrous, personal cry for help.

From “I fell in love with the first cute girl that I met” – to “At least I offer my own disasters” to “It’s like we weren’t made for this world” to “Do I have to scream in your face?”, lyrically, it grows uncontrollably. Barnes adopts a false good spirit, “Let’s just have some fun”, interrupted by expletives: “Let’s tear this fucking house apart”.   And then it happens: Everything erupts. “No matter where we are. We’re always touching by underground wires”. Barnes seeks escape in the music that eventually gives in and seeks similar escapism at that very moment. It’s beautiful but it’s savaging, the most intense individual vocal performance you’re ever likely to hear. Indulge and you’re swept along without consent through the most sparked, frightening head-space one can encounter.

This is a desire for a better sex-life “None of our secrets are physical”, a desire to be left alone “The gestapo circling my head”. One indulgent look at the lyrics and that much is evident. You sympathise but at the same time you’re absolutely terrified.

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