It’s been a little over a year since Tim Seely released his solo debut, Funeral Music, but I’m still loving it like a fat kid loves cake. Seely, the former frontman of one of my favorite bands of the early 2000s, the now defunct Actual Tigers (formerly known as Willis), has been flying under the radar since the Tigers 2001 debut, Gravelled and Green. In my opinion, Gravelled and Green was absolutely outstanding. It even received a considerable amount of critical acclaim but, due in part to some bad luck, fell far short of the band’s expectations. A great album from top to bottom, it included an exceptional variety of tracks, including “Yardwork in November”, which earned a spot on HearYa.com’s Top 100 Indie Songs of All Time.
Now Seely is back with the ambling, sonic tapestry that is Funeral Music. It’s decidedly different from Gravelled and Green, but showcases Seely’s heady songwriting prowess and exploratory edge, while maintaining the integrity of his folksy guitar-based roots. If you were a fan of the Actual Tigers, it’s definitely worth a listen. Standout tracks include the album’s opener “6 Foot Crest”, as well as “On Film I Play Myself” (my personal favorite) and “Trucker’s Lullaby”. While the majority of the album moves along fairly patiently, Seely proves he still has plenty of pop sensibility with the album’s title track, “Funeral Music”. You can stream the entire album for free here.
Tim Seely - Lady Luck
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I have to chime in to agree on this one. I was introduced to Actual Tigers a little over a year ago and can’t stop listening to the album. It astounds me that the album never caught on big anywhere. I’m curious what the bad luck you refer to involved.
Though I find Funeral Music more uneven, I’m liking it more and more as well. I hope Seely continues to make music.
Leave a Comment