Past Is Still Alive, The

“The Past Is Still Alive” Hurray For The Riff Raff
Indie folk rock, Americana and singer songwriter tunes from Alynda Segarra. Originally from the Bronx, they left home at 17 and after hopping freight trains and riding the rails across the country for several years, they ended up in New Orleans. Numerous guests contributed to this album, including Conor Oberst, Meg Duffy of Hand Habits, S.G. Goodman and others. The music is raw and personal, a retelling of some of Segarra’s experiences and adventures — “love songs to real characters” they’ve met along the way. This is their 9th studio album, and the critics’ reviews have been exceptional (8.3 in Pitchfork). RIYL: The Weather Station, Courtney Marie Andrews, Sharon Van Etten, Lucinda Williams.
— Francis

Highly recommended: 1, 3, 5, 9, 4, 10. FCCs on Track 12.

1. (2:49) Alibi — Leisurely shuffle. Folk rock with a bit of electric guitar. Segarra’s emotive vocals and pedal steel guitar in the distance. Catchy. ****
2. (3:43) Buffalo — Slow and swaying Americana. Strummed acoustic and pedal steel guitar. Simple rhythm.
3. (3:42) Hawkmoon — Up-tempo romp. Tells the story of a trans woman Segarra met during their cross-country train travels. Edgy guitar in the trail-out. ****
4. (2:46) Colossus Of Roads — Layered guitars, keyboards and rhythm that’s like a heartbeat under storytelling vocals. ***
5. (4:08) Snakeplant (The Past Is Still Alive) (Radio Edit) — Chugging rhythm reminiscent of riding the rails. Lilting, almost spoken lyrics. Occasional squeals of a saxophone. ****
6. (3:53) Vetiver — Bigger, rolling folk rock anthem. Strummed guitar with electric guitar solos at the ends of verses.
7. (2:51) Hourglass — Lighter and more wistful. Piano and synth soundscape. Again, some pedal steel guitar gently moaning.
8. (3:08) Dynamo — Mid-tempo alt country ballad. Strummed and picked guitar. Lovely, harmonized vocals.
9. (3:46) The World Is Dangerous — A duet in 3/4 time with Conor Oberst. Guitar and fiddle over strings. Ragtime piano in the lead break. ****
10. (4:59) Ogallala — Slow burn. Dirge-like pacing. Pedal steel guitar over throaty guitar or synth. Big, harmonized backing vocals. Builds to epic levels. ***
11. (1:02) Kiko Forever — Meandering piano, with voicemails left by Segarra’s father, Quico, before his death in early 2023.
12. (4:08) Snakeplant (The Past Is Still Alive) (Unedited) FCCs: pee, fuck — Unedited version of track 5.