by Kris Handel
Gabriel Birnbaum's second "true" solo album Patron Saint of Tireless Losers (after a couple of fascinating instrumental/ambient records), finds him looking inside of himself and the effect of roles forced on everyday people’s lives. He mines melodies of early California psych ramble and singer-songwriter observations, combining spiky rock with gentle examinations on purpose and connection. Birnbaum is joined by Wilder Maker cohort Adam Brisbin to combine for occasionally ragged and jagged guitar work with an equal strength and beauty, full of changing emotional color depending on what each song’s mood calls for. Birnbaum's songwriting remains a unique strength as he trawls the depth of human nature and psyches with an approach guided by reflection and heartfelt passion that shines clear throughout.
"Laughing Backwards" opens the album with loping electric piano and leisurely paced pounding drums as slide guitar adds a winsome cry to the tale of treasuring moments with loved ones and friends. Birnbaum and company paint a lovely and full melody full of various sparkling keyboards and guitar fills with doo-wop-ish harmonizing vocals that add a sense of calm amid the wobbly foggy surroundings. "See You Happy" sees the narrator finding comfort in a relationship that appears to finally fulfill the needs and hopes a couple have so long been waiting to appear, celebrating intimacy as well as the struggles and joy of working through obstacles with compassion. Birnbaum explores the many emotions of people finding someone they can truly connect with, come to some understanding of, and the complexities that come with all that entails over a slightly ragged yet excited backing.
"Allison, Alone Again" has Birnbaum reaching for his higher vocal ranges at times on this exploration of isolation amongst the crowds of people just passing by in life and drifting everywhere. There is a solemn resignation and longing throughout this track examining passing souls with questionable connections that is haunting while the song is pierced with moments of rustling quiet helping to truly set the scene for full impact. "Drinking Year" closes out the album with a shuffling gait and a bit of jazzy keyboard work as Birnbaum’s woozy tale of hangovers transforms into a rollicking sing-along amongst friends traveling the same paths. He explores the lives of road-weary musicians who have to face the same routines over and over with often little reward. However, even through rough moments the characters find happiness amongst companions and resolute strength in community that keeps the motor running and finds a path to tie each adventure together in a widely relatable fashion.
Birnbaum's first solo record was a gorgeously dusty collection of songs that dealt with travel and constant movement in a stripped back manner. Here, these songs continue to delve deep into persevering through moments of repetitive minutiae of daily life. This album is one of searching and reflection on occasions that may seem small moment to moment yet add the color to life and the desire to keep pursuing true desires. The band is well versed in many styles and the amalgamation of each creates a sense of wonder and unexpected twists and turns that keep the music lively and connects all the various seams. Birnbaum’s writing continues to show itself to be full of invention and quirks as this album manages to sound oddly familiar yet never fully placeable to one inspiration, resulting in a record that is a deeply fulfilling, engaging, and captivating listen.