Life Hard: I Try is the fourth LP from the Sacramento based artist and musician, Daniel Trudeau. This dialectic started out well and then just dissolved into an appreciation of The Wrens and a vain attempt to direct some ladies Brandon’s way. The full conversation between Sarah and Brandon after the jump.
Pregnant – “Letter to a Friend”
From: Brandon Hall
To: Sarah Braunstein
Hey, Sarah. So, Pregnant is the work of Sacramento based artist, Daniel Trudeau. His fourth album, Life Hard: I Try comes out on September 6th via Mush Records. It is equal parts experimental instrumental tracks and dreamy bedroom pop, which is to say, equal parts difficult and delightful.
Honestly, it took me a few times through to admit that I liked anything on this album, the beauty of his straightforward indie-pop songs so overshadowed by the glitchy sample-heavy instrumental beat experiments that had a tendency to drive me up a wall. But once I was able to move past them and focus on songs like opener “Life Hard: I Try” or “Dog” or “Letter to a Friend,” I began to really enjoy what he was doing. The composition of his songs reminds me a lot of The Books, another sample-heavy, casually experimental indie pop band. Another similar touchstone I can’t shake, especially given the similar textures in their voices, is Dan Snaith when Caribou was Manitoba.
Trudeau’s songs have a dexterity that allows them to be soft and understated while inexplicably complex in their structure and sound pallet. “Another Day,” for instance, is a pretty Neil Young inspired acoustic folk song embedded within an experimental bed of tape decay, electronic loops, and an industrial breakdown that sounds like a machine from a post-apocalyptic future on the fritz.
The first time I listened to this album, I figured I was going to have to write you about how much it annoyed me. How I hated the experimental tracks. I especially didn’t like “You Can Drink from Bellpeppers” which just drove me up a wall. But now, you know what? I kind of like “You Can Drink from Bellpeppers.” I don’t love it – especially the ending, which still kind of grates – but I don’t hate it, either. And that’s really the worst of the bunch. I said the experimental tracks were difficult, but that’s not to say they aren’t rewarding. You just have to let them grow on you.
What do you think? Do any songs stick out to you, in particular, good or bad? How has this album grown for you? Also, I’ve found myself growing increasingly intrigued by Trudeau’s lyrics, which are incredibly inviting, but occasionally oblique. And for that matter, I’m not an aural learner. If I can’t see the lyrics, I have trouble understanding what’s being said and what’s going on. Any chance you could enlighten me?
“What happens today is irrelevant,”
Brandon
Pregnant – “Life Hard: I Try”
From: Sarah Braunstein
To: Brandon Hall
Well Brandon, this might not be the most interesting of posts because I largely agree with a lot of what you said. Natalie Snoyman (of past YACHT and Key Losers dialectics) shared Pregnant with us and I’m generally psyched when she passes an album my way. Natalie has introduced me to some bands – like Lower Dens, Mirah, Cloud Nothings – that make me think differently about what a band or musician can do. I realize I’m being incredibly vague (not on purpose) but all three of those examples have albums that got their hooks in me for totally disparate reasons and kind of expanded my music universe.
That being said, Pregnant doesn’t fall into the same category for me. Maybe I like my music a little more obvious, but I’ve listened through Life Hard : I Try four or five times now and I’m feeling pretty unmoved. I don’t harbor any negative feelings toward the album; just no overwhelmingly positive ones, either. Sure, there are a couple “standout” tracks that I prefer over the rest of the album. I think “I Wasn’t Getting Paid” is really really cool and I’d love to witness Trudeau pulling that track together live. It’s danceable, joyous, and a little bit Go! Team-esque (down to lyrics that I can’t quite understand).
You know, it took me a couple of listens to place, but I also hear some Rogue Wave in Trudeau’s work particularly in the tracks when he’s singing. Realizing this made me warm up to Pregnant a bit more although I had to find that door and open it myself. Listen to “Every Moment” and then head over to the title track or “Letter to a Friend.” Do you hear it? Or am I just making some subconscious connection between Pregnant and my 18-year old self listening to Out of the Shadow…
So I’d say that I’m strictly in appreciation mode. I dig some of the samples Trudeau works with but I never get to hear them quite enough because of all the other samples and layering that he’s got going on. And if the straws I’m grasping at are samples that I could like if given a chance, then I guess it’s safe to say that Pregnant does not have its hooks in me like other Snoyman recommendations (note to Natalie: I’m still really excited for anything else you want to share with us!).
Also, did you read that this album was release on cassette before any other medium? What do you make of that?
“Old men shit in a clearing, that’s how they get clear”
Sarah
From: Brandon Hall
To: Sarah Braunstein
Um, listen. I know Natalie introduced me to Mirah. But I believe I deserve credit for introducing you to Mirah. Credit where credit is due, please.
Also, “Old men shit in a clearing, that’s how they get clear”!? That’s an amazing line! What song is that on? I knew I would love the lyrics on this album if I could just focus my brain and hear them.
You know more and more “indie” acts are releasing their work on cassette tape, right? I think it’s the epitome of hipster douchiness. I can’t believe it’s in any way cheaper than releasing on CD, but it comes with the addition that hardly anyone besides homeless dudes and old men in baseball stadiums own cassette players. So what the artist is really saying is, “Please don’t buy this. I’d prefer if no one besides homeless dudes and old Kansas City Royals fans listened to this record.”
(OK. I know what you’re going to say. Yes, I did make you a mix tape on a cassette and presented it with my old walkman from middle school. That was charming and adorable. And, for that matter, I delivered the CD version a couple weeks later! Furthermore, it meant that I no longer owned a cassette player of any kind. So I refuse to let you use that against me. Not that you don’t have a plethora of ammunition – I run a music blog, I live in Brooklyn, I have a beard.*)
Dolphin noises on “Ritual and Habit?” Thoughts?
Here’s my real question, and maybe you have some insight on this: Is Pregnant offering anything new to the musical landscape? Is he doing something that really deserves the discussion we’re giving it here? I’m honestly not compelled to keep listening to the album. And considering Girls’ newest Father, Son, and Holy Ghost leaked today, it’s taking a lot for me to keep trying to suss out Pregnant. This is a bad sign. But maybe it’s just not my jam. Objectively speaking, would you recommend this album to people?
Kind of bored,
Brandon
*[Hey, ladies.]
From: Sarah Braunstein
To: Brandon Hall
I thought that cassette mention would strike a chord with you. “The Sarah Tapes” will be featured on a future post and it’ll be worth the wait, folks.**
Ok, so I came across the following quote from reviewer Chris Daly at PassionWeiss while I was doing a little bit of research on Dan Trudeau: ” I wouldn’t have normally thought harmonica and dolphin noises could sound quite so pleasant prior to Mr. T’s laid back presentation persuaded me otherwise.”
That guy is incorrect. He mentions earlier in the review that, like Trudeau, he recently fathered his first child. I’m going to attribute the previous quote to his extreme sleep deprivation and complete isolation from the rest of the human race as result of being a new parent. It is only under these dire circumstances that harmonica and dolphin noises might sound “pleasant.”
So, I’d say that we’re wholly in agreement on this one. I won’t be compelled to stop at Pregnant when I’m scrolling through my iPod, browsing for an album to spend some time with on my daily commute or to share with folks at a casual gathering. Pregnant won’t be the band I introduce to the [obviously] less educated DJs and audiences in my Turntable.fm hangouts. I don’t despise what Trudeau is doing but it doesn’t speak to me in any way. There are nice moments, great samples, and thoughtful compositions but that “certain something” is missing. Like right now, I’m listening to The Wrens on repeat from Pitchfork’s 15 Writiers/15 Songs piece and whoa my god, Pregnant means nothing to me as long as this song is playing.
“Everyone choose sides,”
Sarah
**[What Brandon alluded to was the best non-date date that I’ve ever been on. Ladies, you’d be lucky to end up with this bearded Brooklynite.]
The Wrens – “Everyone Choose Sides” (because it’s more fun to listen to right now)
AudioVole 
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