Nearly Sincerely is an indie rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio. They started playing music two years ago with no previous music experience. They recently released Pancakes Taste Better When You're Around.
I remember around eighteen years ago I was in college and was a music major and at the time was listening to a lot of Bright Eyes. Oberst was an amazing lyricist and he has lyrics which were both metaphorical and a stream of consciousness. The main theme was depression and a feeling of hopelessness. Nearly Sincerely has a lot more of a simple approach to a similar subject. The songs revolve around strummed chords, bass and lyrics which are basically stream of consciousness about how much he doesn't like himself, the things around him and many of other subjects. I thought these songs were better than what I heard on their previous release. I’m a lot older than I was in college so I have to admit this type of music has a much different effect on me now. There is a big part that just wants to help and say you’re still incredibly young with a world full of potential in front of you. You’re too young to give in. The songs range from mild suburban depression to darker thoughts. He opens with “The Bathroom Was Too Crowded.” The style is fairly straight emo. He sings, “I know that / Things change fast / My hearts still black / My skins a rash” which is fine. Plenty of artists from Mick Jagger and Trent Reznor have claimed their hearts are black. Lyrics like, “I'll hang myself in the bathroom / Before class starts / Just to prove a point that won't / Make any sense at all” are just dark. “Life Is Pain (And Other Optimistic World Views)” is a little more chipper sounding at least in terms of the music. The pity party continues “Pancakes Taste Better When You're Around” and “If You're Happy I'm Ok.” There is a romanticism associated with the tortured musician. We have seen this culturally through artists like Elliott Smith, Kurt Cobain, David Berman and Mark Linkous. Their music creates empathy and they become folk heroes for the depressed and lonely. The other side of the coin is the artist who creates the music. It’s not only a reflection of thought and emotion but also a vehicle to transcend it. Art imitates life but it also can shine a light so narrowly on the perceived problem that it loses its weight if only for a brief time. I think these songs do that effectively. I'm looking forward to what's next from the duo.
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