Cursive returns to roots with Mama

The album could be the band's swan song.

By Tom Carbone

Published March 9, 2009

One of the most anticipated yet disappointing albums of this decade was Cursive's 2006 effort Happy Hollow. After listening to Domestica and The Ugly Organ all throughout high school and pretty much worshipping whatever Tim Kasher put out, I was all set to buy (yes, purchase) the newest addition to the Cursive collection.

But by the time the release date came around, the album had already leaked and was more disappointing than any release I've anticipated probably ever. The addition of the horn section, although unique and promising, really did not do much, and it was actually sort of annoying.

Fast-forward three years. Cursive has another release looming on the horizon. Is their newest effort, Mama, I'm Swollen worth the time of jaded Cursive listeners? To be perfectly blunt, hell yes. When Cursive came through Columbia last month at Mojo's, they performed a variety of older songs along with tracks off Mama as well. The energy was completely different from their previous Happy Hollow tour, and that was an indicator the new album was likely to be a vast improvement from 2006's atrocity. And boy, it was.

The first track on the album is "From the Hips," which was exclusively released by Absolutepunk.net a few days before the entire album leaked in its entirety. "I'm at my best when I'm at my worst/I'm at my worst when it's unrehearsed/I don't wanna know the goddamn words," yells Kasher in his distinct yelp. Lyrically, Mama returns to the Domestica-era rather than a continuation of Kasher's repeated religious elements he included with Happy Hollow. Another departure from 2006 comes the heavier use of guitars and drums rather than horns. It is quite the relief to hear Cursive play the way they used to.

Immediately following this song is "I Couldn't Love You." Lyrically and sonically, the track would fit perfectly on Domestica.

Kasher finishes off the album with a track that would be a great end to his career. This is not a bad thing, but the content of the song makes it seem like he's done. "I spent the best years of my life waiting on the best years of my life/so what's there to write about now?" he sings. It's pretty true. He's been putting out records since I was in kindergarten, but he hasn't lost his flair. Fans should hope this isn't his swan song, but it would be a pretty cool way to end the Cursive/Tim Kasher saga we've all enjoyed.

Mama, I'm Swollen is infinitely better than Happy Hollow -- that's all there is to it. Where Happy Hollow lacked, Mama delivers. Since Domestica, this is Cursive's best work to-date. By getting back into their roots and leaving the trite horns behind, Cursive has created an album that will go down as one of their best. Saddle Creek should be happy to have their classic Cursive back.