The new self-titled Cut Worms album is the latest in a string of fine releases from what is essentially now one guy. Max Clarke is Cut Worms and Cut Worms has an unhurried, loose charm that makes this one of his group's best offerings yet. There's nothing here that will kill your mellow, and some stuff that may even improve it.
"Don't Fade Out" reminds me of peers Fruit Bats, while "I'll Never Make It" and others favor a twang-y approach. Clarke never quite gives over to Americana or Alt-Country entirely, though there are hints of each form here. Rather, Max seems to be drawing inspiration from acts as disparate as Neil Young and Granddaddy. His skills as a songwriter favor a very unhurried approach, with the melodies sort of unfolding and ambling around a bit. There's a lot on this newest album that makes me think of Fruit Bats, but Cut Worms' stuff is somehow more modest and less declamatory in melodic approach. You have to spend time with this one, but you'll be rewarded. And it goes without saying that this is the perfect sort of record to soundtrack a humid, lazy summer.
Cut Worms by Cut Worms is out tomorrow on Jagjaguwar.
[Photo: Caroline Gohlke]