Some may have stamped the anti-folk scene in diverse styles; however, no such individual has had a unique mark as BLOCK. With an experienced career of decades, he is on par with some of the most intricate songwriting, wisecracking lyrics, and fearless schemes of crossing genres. In a way, the wide Chiasm to the substantiation of BLOCK, The Greene Street Sessions [Deluxe Edition] is ushering the new echelon of the touched artistry into the audience.
A short EP offering, The Greene Street Sessions, was done in collaboration with several great names in the trade and features producer Mike Rathke (of The Velvet Underground, Laurie Anderson, Peter Gabriel fame) and Bob Ludwig on mastering (known for his works on Foo Fighters, Daft Punk, and Beyoncé). The album's backing band, Lou Reed Cats, exceedingly presents a rugged sonic texture melding folk storytelling with experimental sound.
The deluxe edition, remastered with expertise by Blake Morgan (Lenny Kravitz, Janita, Lesley Gore), restores the album to its original 11 tracks and puts to good use hitherto unheard rarities like 3rd Mall From The Sun. It is a long-lost track inspired by comedian Bill Hicks, and it captures existential absurdity with modern consumer culture, mingling sharp-witted lyrical dexterity with infectious grooves.
Throughout The Greene Street Sessions, BLOCK's vocals are raw yet perfectly on point, delivering once again an evocative storytelling style. Hitting every note that lingers through tracks such as Timing Is Everything collapses, whilst the fluency of the lyrics ensures each song remains fresh and relevant.
BLOCK's works were already lauded by critics for their unequivocal artistic push. Rolling Stone called him anything but "too complex to occupy a musical drawer," while Spin Magazine said, "his sound is engaging and ripe with promise." In the release of this deluxe edition, a fresh crowd gets an opportunity to learn about what made BLOCK a pivotal figure in the anti-folk movement.
As the first of Meridian (ECR Music Group), The Greene Street Sessions [Deluxe Edition] is not simply an album; it's a rediscovery of the whole personality at his most enthusiastic. For good measure, any fan, whether for years or just budding, must have this record of greater proof exists as to how anything finite improves over the years.
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