Kurt Vile : Childish Prodigy :: Review
Fans of the singer songwriter genre have a new idol to worship that goes by the punny sounding name of Kurt Vile. Based in Philadelphia, Vile (his real name) is quite a busy fellow as he has previously released two separate solo albums on obscure indie labels while moonlighting from his day gig as lead guitarist in The War on Drugs. On his third solo effort, the promising “Childish Prodigy” it appears that Vile is ready to step permanently in the spotlight. “Childish Prodigy” is Vile’s debut on Matador Records that will make his music more widely available than his previous efforts.
On “Childish Prodigy,” Vile makes music that sounds like The Rolling Stones as interpreted by Thurston Moore or Bob Dylan via Dinosaur Jr. While it’s obvious finding Vile’s influences on this record, he definitely wears them on his sleeve; the record shines on its ragged charms. The gauzy production adds a late night feel to this album as the gritty, “Hunchback” opens the proceedings and Kurt Vile sounds like a muffled Mick Jagger recorded by a crappy 4-track three rooms away. On “Dead Alive” and “Overnite Religion” the rambling Dylanisms of the lyrics punch their way to the forefront of the murk but recede just the same. There even seems to be a drowning Stax melody cruising through the lengthy “Freak Train” which provides the central focus and denouement of what could be considered the first side of the album.
Side two seems to contain Vile’s more reserved material and opens with the wistful, “Blackberry Song” which features a guitar lick that resonates like a mantra. Elsewhere, the acoustic “Heart Attack” finds Vile’s blues roots coming to the surface. “Inside Lookin’ Out” is another dense blue influenced epic that meanders for about two minutes too long. The semi-autobiographical chorus laden “He’s Alright” finds Vile in full on folk mode and closer “Goodbye, Freaks” offers a reprise of “Freak Train.”
Vile’s “Childish Prodigy” is an album that took several listens to reveal itself because of its murky yet naturalistic production and that also reminds me of another album…
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