THE PAINTED PORCH

CHRIS FUNK is known as one member of Progressive Folk band The Decemberists most notably. Now in 2020 he's offering a solo effort, however way more tending towards the psychedelic genre here. Sound-wise akin to some Lorenzo Woodrose projects, one can say. I mean the more prog rooted exemplars like 'Dragontears' and similar. While he's painting the porch with artistical freedom or dealing with insane dinosaurs amongst other things ... this is fairly experimental. A partially weird avantgarde oriented specimen, context-wise based on some misfortune he experienced shortly before the recordings took place. It's a solo album, but he will be supported by some other prolific musicians, to name avantgarde guitarist Marc Ribot, violinist Kyleen King and Res Fang drummer Josh Sherman for example. Well, needed some time, but in the end it clicked, and the flowers have unfolded their beauty.

The collection of eight songs is a special sonic experience, in no way a rocking affair, that must be said clearly. Slow tempo hallucinative parts more often, featuring soaring as well as sawing electric guitars and string arrangements. The magnificant atmosphere on Deranged Ankylosaurus makes my day especially. This proves that he uses some semi-acoustic slide guitar stuff too, oftenly contributed with indo/raga flair. Melancholic synthesizer adds are given more over on the album, for instance manifested in the wonderful Valley Girl Accidents. My conclusion: Positive Surprise! With 'The Painted Porch' the artist has passed on something captivating, a definitely exciting thing, far more than and far away from an everyday dose.