Michael Talbott & the Wolfkings
Freeze - Die - Come to Life
( Antenna Farm ) 2006

The wooden stool upon which I sat had become moistened topsoil, my frail body sunk up to the waist. My eyelids had grown shut as my eyes began to fossilize. Ivy ran rampant through my beard. I vaguely remember the phone ringing and my supervisor calling my name - but these events were largely dishonored given the fact that I had been exposed to Freeze - Die - Come To Life.

The physical state of time and deadlines had become but factors to those unaware.

"it gets so cold with these winds across my heart"

It was Devendra that last spoke of taking his teeth out and showing them "a real good time / a good time" - well the final dance ballroom sway of "Angel of Light" makes me want to do the same. Has there ever, in recent memory, been a song - and album - so incredibly rich in harmony, beauty and subtlety? Possibly Mat Sweet's latest Boduf Songs album.. . Tony Dekker's two previous works.. . S&G's Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme (specifically hear "First Rain" & "Goodnight").

I cautiously approached the initial listening of Freeze - Die - Come to Life with that small scar on my mind aware that within these 10 songs could possibly be that glitch, that tainted moment if you will, that could keep an album from greatness. Lovingly, that moment never dared to peek above sterile ground. Perfectly placed even was that shining moment of trumpet(s) in the distance on "Gray Day".

Michael Talbott - I owe you and your team of Wolfkings (members of the Court & Spark, Cass McCombs, Kelley Stoltz) something larger than the sum of all I own in response to this album you have offered me. Might I offer a small legion of polite listeners? From the same farm that brought us papercuts - Michael Talbott is certainly in good company.

Oh, please do not apologize - these frigid tears have begged to stream for years.

k :: ( streamed to text, April o' 2006 )