Starpainter - “Summer in Your Mouth”
Photo by Heather Saitz
Alberta-based Starpainter find their way onto our blog with “Summer in Your Mouth,” a song that explores “seasonal depression and trying to make it through the long dark prairie winter.”
It is not uncommon for us to reject songs in this genre for not sounding enough like Wilco or Ryan Adams, but we are pleased to say that the gritty Americana vibe is strong with this one. And when you couple that with the subject matter, “Summer in Your Mouth” deeply resonates with us, reminding us of how grateful we are to have a few months before the colder weather returns to, once again, destroy our spirit.
This song begins with just a piano and vocal, but the relentless tapping of the hi-hat lets the listener know that the rest of the band is here. But before they come in, it gives us a chance to get to know the Tweedy-ness of lead vocalist Joel Stretch. He delivers the lyrics very honestly, with no hints of pitch correction or other studio witchcraft– just a lovely tenor offering the truth. A slide guitar emerges as the soundscape begins to swell, and at thirty seconds deep, the rhythm section joins.
The harmonies on the chorus are actually one of the song’s main selling points. As we’ve said many times before, a good harmony can take a great song and bust it through the ceiling– and it’s often the element that makes us choose to feature one song over another. Additionally, the guitar work in this track is fantastic, as we believe the most skilled of players will honor the songwriting, instead of showing off or overpowering the vibe. Every lick is tastefully displayed, causing its marriage to the piano to only strengthen this impressive melody.
Though “Summer in Your Mouth” was written in the dead of winter, the “ooohs” that appear near the end solidify the idea that it will sound great during any season, so join us in spinning it all year round.
-TM