
Xiu Xiu - Dear God, I Hate Myself
With such a strong and offensive video, most would think the album would follow the same path. Yet here it is and Dear God, I Hate Myself is the most accessible work from Jamie Stewart and his ragtag bunch of fill-ins to date. It is a very gothic, synth, and drum heavy sound that continues throughout. Three tracks were primarily created on a Nintendo DS (what Jamie credits as “game boy”); including the title track. Not exactly renowned for the hooks and catchiness of his songs, it is a surprising gift when listening to the first few tracks. “Gray Death” opens holding a prominent guitar sound; yet do not expect this to be found much more in the rest of the album. A driving drum sound and a pulsating synth sound on “Chocolate Makes You Happy” makes the lyrics covering coco bulimia easier to swallow (Yes I went there).
Hammering sadness is what Jamie Stewart has an affinity for singing about it, and by Jove, hammering sadness is what you get. “Despair will hold a place in my heart, a bigger one than you do, I will always be nicer to the cat, than I am to you” is the sampling of heart-filled warmth you will find on the title track. Perhaps the strongest track on Dear God is the one that seems the most out of place. “Cumberland Gap” is a completely folk infused song for a short 95 seconds. Stewart finger plucks from a banjo and sets his vocals nicely over a resonating guitar and drums. Wondering why it is included at all, it serves as a nice break, only to be left wanting more.
As a package, what you get here is a bit unexpected if you have followed the Xiu Xiu catalog. As a new listener, it could be something that serves as a jumping off point. If music hits you emotionally, you might want to bring a box of tissues and stay away from all sharp objects.
Track Listing:
1. Gray Death
2. Chocolate Makes You Happy
3. Apple For Brain
4. House Sparrow
5. Hyunhye’s Theme
6. Dear God, I Hate Myself
7. Secret Motel
8. Falkland Rd.
9. The Falbrizio Palumbo Retaliation
10. Cumberland Gap
11. This Too Shall Pass Away (For Freddy)
12. Impossible Feeling