Mishka Shubaly. COWARD’S PATH. Invisible Hands Music

Few records in recent years have surprised me more than this one. Perhaps that’s because I’ve never heard of this USA artist, his problems or music. This one record answers all these questions in a manner that is distinctive and for me vastly entertaining. But first some background:

After receiving an expensive MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, Mishka Shubaly promptly realized he was more interested in playing music in dive bars than writing. He lived out of a Toyota minivan for a year, touring nonstop, and has shared the stage with artists like The Strokes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Decemberists among others. “Bad Dreams,” a narrative published in NYPress about his romance with an opiate marked his return to writing.

His Kindle Singles for Amazon have all been bestsellers. He writes true stories about drink, drugs, disasters, desire, deception and their aftermath. His work has been praised for its grit, humor, fearlessness and heart. ‘The Long Run,’ his mini-memoir detailing his transformation from alcoholic drug abuser to sober ultrarunner is one of the best-selling Kindle Singles to date.

Mishka Shubaly lives in Brooklyn where he writes music and plays bass for Freshkills. He is at work on a new solo record of his original songs and a full-length memoir. He does not own a dog but he thinks about them often.

So now you know…This, his third album, pretty well gives you an accurate taste of everything that follows. A quick acoustic guitar passage plays before one of the most gruffest voices emerges which prompts one to think ‘What the hell!’ But there’s also something very likeable and sympathetic about this man, his voice and his music. At least a partial reason for this is the superb production that makes the music sound as if it’s being played in your listening room. There’s also an innocence about it all that is compelling.’Pickup Lines’ reveals all backed by a solid melody, thumping bass, hand claps and a sound that is akin to singing in the bath. And it’s great!

‘New Jersey’s Valentines Day’ has a Tex-Mex vibe and a vocal that is as monotone as you can get. The chorus backing vocals are pure comedy and an absolute delight (imagine a group of Mexican musicians serenading a romantic couple in a restaurant…). “Well you sure got a big mouth and you know how to use it…” is the opening line to a song that features angry people, murder, gettaway cars, cocaine, a girl and more. It’s wonderful.

‘Your Stupid Dreams’ takes a country path in describing the man’s child and having to leave because of ‘bad habits’. There’s another strong melody and wonderful recording quality that throws the songs sentiments into sharp focus. The song titles give the game away - ‘Taxe & Jail’, ‘I Can’t Remember When You…’, ‘Depravity’s Rainbow’, ‘Alcoholism’, ‘Fuck Self-Control’, ‘Eating Alone’ and ‘Put Plus One At My Funeral’. Shubaly is unsentimental in his musings but he does generate sympathy and the strange desire to get to know him better. Shubaly cleverly offers up a diverse range of speed and style. For example there’s the slow pace, high emo and narrative style of ‘Ohio’ which is a delight that contrasts sharply with the following speeding, rocky pace of ‘I Can’t Remember When You…’ with its huge dose of pop sensability. Every one of the 12 songs here hits the mark and I’m tempted to classify the whole as something of a classic… It’s that good.

I opened declaring my surprise at hearing this album. I’ll conclude by declaring my total admiration for it and the artist responsible. If you’re into confessional music, with an alt-country flavour and the most magical production give this one a try. You may even shed the odd tear…

5/5