Music to Talk Over, Vol 1

The Prudish Few are rock music makers from Nashville. They’ve been described variously as “being at the corner of pub rock and art rock,” “ like power pop with 30% of the pop and none of the power,” and “like college rock for people who didn’t go to college.” Their new recording Music To Talk Over, Vol.1 is 17 minutes of human music designed to be pleasantly ignored.

The new EP, Music to Talk Over, Vol. 1, is seventeen minutes of instrumental rock conceived in the spirit of a Baroque dance suite, six pieces that differ in feel and tone but belong unmistakably together; like movements in a program, or songs on a side of a record. Where Kemp's previous work (Carter Administration, Century Club, et al) was lyrically driven as a means of dealing with worldly anxiety, this record was carved out through different territory: music as refuge. Kemp’s recording process always began with the intention to provide a personal escape from the cacophony of modern life.

It’s an exercise in contrast where no two songs share the same approach. “The mantra was ‘don’t do anything the same way twice,’’ Kemp reflects, “and it applied to every aspect of making the music: composition, arrangement, recording process, etc.” Jay Leo Phillips tackled the job of creating a cohesive mix across these musical characters. Mike Shepherd designed the artwork; a nod to the idea that the party is already happening, The Prudish Few just showed up to join in. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find more than just a raucous good time.

The songs were designed to be pleasantly ignored at a party yet genuinely rewarding when heard alone. Put it on. Talk over it. Listen closer next time. It'll hold up.