“Grandma’s Garden,” is the second single from Al Menne’s forthcoming album “Freak Accident”, is short and softly insistent; a rearview-mirror childhood recollection told with all the diaristic vulnerability of youth. It shakes and glimmers with triumphant guitar and rich backing instrumentals, a synesthetic description of late summer and days long gone. With, as always, impeccable guitar playing from Hand Habits’ Meg Duffy, “Grandma’s Garden” is a hypnotic, nostalgic slice of sharp nostalgia—as Menne conjures memories of running through their grandparents’ pastures. “Petulant kid playing silent treatment, doubling down ‘cause you know I’m stubborn,” Menne sings. “Obvious where I could’ve got that from. Am I not who you thought I would be?”
“Freak Accident” is the debut album from Al Menne. Menne came up in the music scene as the lead singer of Seattle-based rock band Great Grandpa. In this outfit, Menne’s remarkable voice—capable of quicksilver flicks between vocal registers—was on full display. Aside from the occasional posting of half-finished demos on Bandcamp, “Freak Accident” marks their first official foray as a solo artist.
“Freak Accident” is available everywhere on LP/CD/digital September 22nd on Double Double Whammy.
The Fat Angel Sings 