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Max Turnbull aka Slim Twig, lives on a different wavelength it seems, at least that’s how I would describe his music. Slim Twig, born in 1988 (he’s my age jeez) is a musician for multiple bands in addition to his solo project in addition to being an actor, most notably The Tracey Fragments with Ellen Page and scoring by Broken Social Scene.

Speaking of his music style, if there’s one thing you can’t fault in Slim Twig is his willingness to be creative or “weird”. I was big fan of the track of Whiite Fantaseee when now former writer Adam Morrison reviewed Vernacular Violence.

I’m surprised to see that not many American publications review this album as Pitchfork did at least review his EPs. As for reviews on Contempt!, I’ve heard mainly positive reviews from Exclaim, Eye Weekly and Chart except fellow blogger T.O. Snob giving it a 3.5 out of 10 (which I have to say I disagree with).

Slim Twig being from Toronto was labeled as Toronto’s best artist by Now Magazine. Which is a meaningless label since, who likes Now Magazine anyway? (kidding, I read the magazine though I’d wish their music section was better). Where the T.O. Snob cites and criticizes Slim Twig for being weird, at the same time critics are going to eat this up. You probably won’t find someone as unique as Slim, until you start throwing out names like Spencer Krug or the likes of Animal Collective and Panda Bear. In that sense, Sunset Rubdown and Animal Collective just isn’t for everyday and that could be said for Slim Twig. Besides it’s ironic if you have contempt for Contempt! .

Using a variety of samples and his Frank Zappa-like vocals (props to the girlfriend for that reference), Slim Twig’s Contempt is no easy ride. No one is probably mentioning the “New Weird America” genre, but Slim Twig should very well be given this label.

The album starts off with Young Hussies which seems like an angry track but gives you a sense of Slim Twig’s style. There’s rough sampling with rough vocals with tons of effects in the background giving a lo-fi feel while being incredibly complex. Slim Twig does explore the boundaries of music and perhaps the boundaries in which weird you out. Nonetheless, while being an oddball or bizarre, Slim Twig explores different samples throughout his album. Giving it a rough sort of fell while listening to the album (I’ve hard a tough time personally) but while he explores different music sonically, it really shows that he’s quite a talent. Most of his combinations seem to work (though at times it could either feel redundant or just a little too much) and he gives off a horror-thriller movie type of feeling. He can give you goose bumps but I can’t stop listening.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Slim Twig with this record sets out to create a masterpiece, while he fails in this regard and may alienate a few listeners. I was thoroughly entertained.

As for favorites, it’s a tough one. I like a lot of tracks despite a lot of them being abstract. (I have an inkling to write a boat load more to justify the score, you’ll just have to take my word for it now)
Young Hussies by Slim Twig
Gate Hearing! (Redux) by Slim Twig
Photo from Exclaim Magazine.

Tags: album