By – Kristi Houk

Recommended if you like: Throwing Muses, Bully, Liz Phair

I’ve never understood why Confessional poetry gets a bad rap. According to the Poetry Foundation, Confessional poets wrote in direct, colloquial speech rhythms and used images that reflected intense psychological experiences, often culled from childhood or battles with mental illness or breakdown.

Maybe it’s all that navel gazing? My take as a writer has always been to write what I know. And all I truly know is my own experience. The hope being that someone reads it and that experience resonates with them. Isn’t that what all art does?

Enough about me, let’s talk about the new Speedy Ortiz record, Rabbit, Rabbit. The band is fronted by confessional poet herself (she has an MFA in poetry) Sadie Dupuis. On this record, she cuts to the heart of her own past trauma through humor, anger, relief and blistering guitar riffs. The album’s title refers to Dupuis ritual triggered by childhood trauma.

I could’ve really used this album back in the early 90’s when I was going through my own personal hell.  Speaking of the 90’s, musically, this record could live nicely alongside anything Belly, Liz Phair, or Throwing Muses released. I love the sugar/salt dichotomy in the vocals and the twisting, dissonant guitar hooks. Girrrls can have it all ways, ya know?

Written during the pandemic, Dupuis had a lot of time to reflect on her past. On “Cry, Cry, Cry” Dupuis explains that there are three ways of crying; with confidence, silence, and bravery. The grungy guitar and bass potently underscore the pressure, “I know my way around the stats on pain, but I never stop and feel it. Cut my hand, make a blood pact, then when I bite my tongue I’ll mean it.”

On “Plus One” the music is busy – in a frazzled state. Props to drummer, Joey Doubek for the steady beat.  It’s a song about bitterness and revenge. I love how Dupuis seems to spit the vocals. A sucker punch, indeed.

Rabbit, Rabbit is a fierce, brave, unapologetic letter to Dupuis younger self—A subtle confession that rocks.

And as for those uncomfortable moments that none of us want to face—The only way out is through.

YOU CAN CATCH THE BAND IN THE 205 SEPTEMBER 30TH at TRIM TAB!

Stand Out Tracks: “Cry, Cry, Cry,” “Scabs,” “Plus One”

EVERYTHING IS ALIVE, THE NEW ALBUM FROM SLOWDIVE CAN BE PURCHASED WHEREVER YOU BUY QUALITY ALBUMS

IF YOU ARE IN THE 205 GO VISIT SEASICK RECORDS