Susto | Ever Since I Lost My Mind
Family Average: 5/7
It’s SUSTO everyone! Kate Maldjian is a big fan of this band. She is such a big fan when their new album Ever Since I Lost My Mind came out she said to the rest of us. “Hey pop this in your ear holes, and let me know what ya’ll think”. The family did just that. What followed was a weekend retreat where we all chopped wood and listened to the album on repeat. Footage of the event was taken and will be placed below. Gosh I still have blisters from that weekend. These hands will never be the same. Still I would do it all over again.
To find our what we thought of the album read on below.
I’ve been listening to this Charleston dude through various arrangements, albums, and venues. Ever since my friend Shelly brought me to one of their gigs at the Mercury Lounge...that somehow was filled with entirely with a crowd of people with southern accents...I was hooked. My other good pal Annie had been trying to get me turned onto them for months at that point, and so she deserved the shout too haha. Ever Since I Lost My Mind is the least country, the most energetic, and diverse of the albums so far in my opinion.
There are some new favorites in here for sure. “If I Was” for starters. Simple, yet well thought out lyrics, great sound, mellow energy. The feeling of a daydream. The feeling that you wish you could do more, and do it all well. But “I am just a singer // with electric guitar in my hands // trying to work through my own set of problems //, trying to do the best that I can.”
“Last Century” is another favorite for all kinds of different reason; this really is a diverse album of solid contenders. It’s got early Wilco vibes to me.
“Esta Bien” makes me laugh. It makes me want to yell “ESTAAAA BIIEEN” on my walk to the train in the morning, but my fellow Jersey Cityians might have me committed if I do.
“House of the Blue Green Buddha” I love again for its lyrics, and the music that gives a space for them to be heard the way they’re meant to. Great guitar throughout the album.
I wasn’t a huge fan of “Livin’ in America” but I can see why it found its place in the order of the album. What can I say, I love the mellow songs!
The title track has that cowboy sound that I loved in “Diamond’s Icaro” on the last album. A good song to walk into the cold summer desert and not look back. “Cocaine” had that same cowboy, but with a run down Johnny Cash vibe. Wrapping it up with “Off You” is just another favorite of mine.
I’m sorry, I played two soccer games today. Got bonked in the head a few times too so I’m not articulating quite how much I love these songs and why. I think they feel to me the foamy coating of a cheap canned beer in the back of your throat. The littlest of buzzes on a late night car ride by the beach.
Thank you SUSTO, for all that you are and all that you aren’t. If I was a music critic...I’d give it
6/7
“Alt-rock to the core, there's an interesting southern influence with country twangs, contemplative ballads, and even some pop-y pieces thrown in.”
SUSTO's got gusto (but not according to the Wikipedia definition).
This is the type of album meant to tug—no rip—at your heart strings. It's the soulful, lyrically narrative, and emotive kind of songwriting that requires multiple listens to really glean all that is being said. Toeing the line between completely depressing and optimistic, it feels relaxed and confessional. He's got that gravely, raw type of voice that feels so sincere, and at times pained, that you have to connect with it at a purely human level.
I most appreciated the album's variation. Alt-rock to the core, there's an interesting southern influence with country twangs, contemplative ballads, and even some pop-y pieces thrown in. It covers a lot of ground in terms of style and tempo; like an exploration of sound and ability under an idiosyncratic umbrella. I drew parallels to acts like Mt. Joy, who similarly tap into some lyrically heavy material, but still sounds like they're having a good time doing it.
Overall, it's a really ambitious and somehow intimate piece of work. It's an album rife with personal rumination and musical variation, guaranteed to hit you somewhere, somehow.
4/7
“It’s full of soul, passion, and poetry. With killer harmonies, lyrics in español, sweet instrumentals and some real sexy guitar sounds.”
I feel like I could probably write a novel based on the way this album has been making me feel. But, I’ll keep it short for now.
To start I’ll say that it’s a perfect blend of everything I crave in a good album. It’s full of soul, passion, and poetry. With killer harmonies, lyrics in español, sweet instrumentals and some real sexy guitar sounds. From that first quick strum of the A-Minor in “Homeboy” to that last chord in “Off You”. Each song flows perfectly into the next and I’m caught up in some real deep feelings the whole way through. There’s hints of good ol' early acoustic Americana/Country-esque Susto in this album and I love that- Which is probably why these last three tunes are my favorite.
In “Cocaine” -I feel caught up in an old western ballad. It’s a real “Johnny Cash/House of the Rising Sun”kind of tune. Those killer male/female harmonies, the sexy guitar sounds- that solo! , and those catchy repetitive lyrics. It’s a pleasantly haunting tune and Oh, I If I don’t get a real urge to misbehave when I hear this one!
“No Way Out”- . I’ve always felt that Justin’s voice is pretty damn flawless-Im convinced it’s quite impossible for him to hit a wrong note, and this song is such a good example of his range and unique voice. Those heart-wrenching howls as he confesses that he’s madly deeply in love—“Ain’t Nooo Waaayy out”. I get the chills every time I hear it!
“Off You”- A perfect way to end an album titled “Ever Since I Lost My Mind”- heading down to the ocean to clear ones mind, find some peace. Something I do at least once a day to keep myself sane.
As a friend of Justin’s and a long time fan of his songwriting , I think “Ever Since I Lost My Mind” was the perfect direction for Susto to take. It’s incredibly produced and I haven’t stopped listening,
7/7
(DUH)