ALT FOLK SINGER-SONGWRITER

H. C. Slim is a folkish singer-songwriter out of Finland, of all places. This is somewhat challenging listening, but worth it, with lyrics full of violent, macabre, almost Gothic imagery. Like rubbernecking at an accident, you can’t help paying attention to the gruesome scene. There’s a bit of showing off with different songwriting and singing styles. Often just acoustic guitar and voice; sometimes a bit more.

No FCC issues

1 ** Mid-slow. Lovely song; classic folk-blues sound; good picked resonator guitar. (3:02)
2 * Slow. Eerie apocalyptic vision. Voice, guitar, circus organ. Wait for guitar coda. (3:09)
3 * Mid-tempo. Like British folk with a twist: a murder ballad x 5. Well crafted. (2:14)
4 Slow. Another murder (or maybe worse). Very creepy. Actually, sorta f—d up. (2:22)
5 Mid-tempo. Gruesome detailed images of a suicide. Early Dylan-like harmonica. (3:19)
6 ** Very slow. Somber heavenly visions. Weird & amazing; somewhere between Leonard Cohen & Lou Reed. Acoustic & slide guitars, bass, organ. (3:30)
7 Mid-tempo. Peppy & bouncy. A quick, tongue in cheek look at Catholicism. (1:23)
8 Very slow. Damn spooky, like driving lost in a thick fog. (4:00)
9 * Mid-tempo. Gotta keep travelin’ on. Sounds a bit like Donovan. (3:19)
10 ** Slow. Clever tribute to Dylan including a dead-ringer harmonica solo. (4:29)
11 Slow. Self-justifying thoughts of someone who had committed suicide. (1:33)
12 ** Mid-tempo. Like an old-time spiritual revival song, with a sly wink. Loved it. (5:07)