by John Brouk
Originally the name of a community crafting program hosted by bandleader Sonny Smith’s mother in the 1970’s, Self Awareness Through Macrame now represents the newest collection of cheery, psych-tinged rock tunes from San Francisco garage pop stalwarts, Sonny & The Sunsets. Put out last September on Smith’s own Rocks In Your Head record label, this cozy and homespun sounding record, which was conceived in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, pins down some of the emotions and meditations many had while staying home. Although composed in bleak times, the record is warm and optimistic, taking inspiration from music of past decades like the 60s and 70s, while looking forward to a bright future.
Album opener “Waiting” details scenes of anticipation soundtracked by warm acoustic guitars, lackadaisical lead vocals, and a bubbly Telstar-style organ riff that wavers like the optimistic sunshine pouring over a dewy morning hillside. This folky, poppy instrumentation serves as the album's musical thesis, with homage being paid to pivotal home recordings like Paul McCartney's early solo albums and Emitt Rhodes. There are also touches of Blood on the Tracks-era Bob Dylan on songs like "City Life," where shifting priorities and perceptions has the song's narrator lamenting various grievances of living in the city (cops, stepping in dog poop, narcs, disregard for space) and a longing to move out to the country where there are “seeds and worms in the earth”.
The country is definitely where this record is planted, with folk rock acoustic guitar strums and twangy riffs like those found in "Pink Cake" and the honkytonk piano-laden "E.S.P.". Added instrumentation like flutes further paint a picture of moving to a tranquil countryside where the grass is greener, birds sing sweetly, and flowers bloom colorfully and as bountifully as the album's cover art. There are also plenty of poppy, catchy moments like the one-word singalong choruses of "Shadow," "Signs," and "Androids" that come accompanied with terrific guitar leads, jug band bass lines, and dry drums that one would expect of a record in this vein.
The album title's notion of arts and crafts is found throughout the track list with mentions of needles and threads used for sewing, and most prominently on "How to Make a Ceramic Dog". This track covers step-by-step instructions on how to make a clay model of someone's four-legged best friend that feels like a soothing, guided meditation of sorts (the song is based in true facts, as this was an actual hobby that Smith developed during the pandemic, making ceramic dogs for his friends and family)! Carefree subject matters like working with clay and a reluctance to doing “Situps” are also occasionally met with subtle political commentary including a fear of growing fascist ideology. This mixture of trivial and consequential subjects resonates with the choices each person must make in their daily lives. With its west coast cosmic country vibes, Self Awareness Through Macrame is a fun and enjoyable 26-minute trip to the green grass and blue skies of the country.