Mountain Man - “Sewee Sewee”
Though I suppose there are better Mountain Man songs to single out—“Animal Tracks” is popular and more intricately constructed (lyrically and harmonically), same goes for “Soft Skin”—this has been the one I’ve kept on repeat. All their work is gentle, earthy, and haunting, but “Sewee” feels especially like an old-time lullaby. The way they coo the title at the beginning in that singsong tone and the way the thin guitar strums float along in the background give it that essential eyes-half-closed vibe, so when they get to the chorus and the harmonies braid into a melancholic hook, it’s all the more poignant for its softness.
I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that ‘sewee’ sounds like ‘sweet,’ and that this ode to the lowlands near Charleston, SC doubles as a forlorn love song. The best lullabies hide painful things behind their gentleness (“Rock-a-bye Baby” is supposedly a political allegory about the Glorious Revolution of the 17th century and is violent even on its surface, while “You Are My Sunshine” describes love under constant threat of being torn asunder by the world). When Mountain Man sing “I held your hand in mine,” there is that same unmistakable twinge of grief, even if the song is far too lovely to dwell on it for long.
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yvynyl said:
so good. do you know about Mariee Sioux, too?
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