White Ward, Love Exchange Failure, John Fisher 11/15/2020
To write honestly and make it interesting to read, that is the goal. This hobby provides that outlet for me. I know nobody reads this shit, but who cares. It is more important to be able to capture a moment in time for my own enjoyment and nostalgia. I had recommended Numenorean last month (found them on a MOL related artists search). One of those bands led me to White Ward again. I considered Futility Report a few years ago as one of my monthly picks, but I passed. I had heard their latest was good, but again mostly passed on them til recently. So pumped I took them on with a more open mind this time. This album is dark, rewarding, and addictive! It is my album of the year for 2020. Good timing for a depressing album to win out on a crazy year!
There is a crazy global pandemic in its 9th month, thriving right now. Donald Trump just lost the election and is refusing to concede to Joe Biden. I have gone from a moderately successful outside sales rep who would of course loaf at times, to…an individual who is home 24/7, where my prospects are not interested in scheduling pandemic meetings, at all! Obviously, visitors are not allowed into those cushy HQ corporate boardrooms I finally became comfortable with after all these years! Wear a dress shirt, jeans, nice shoes, a blazer, (or a suit) and have fun and be the competent, funny “tech-wanna-be” guy? Easy! Make a few jokes and be honest, mostly. Worked very well for me. Now, wtf. It’s weird, and I miss the old days of software sales. Nine months is actually a long time. Enough time to fully embrace Love Exchange Failure!
There are few references to traditional love here. I don’t see the overarching theme of a “love exchange failure” in the lyrics. I see a lonely male empath shattered by his imagination. He sees and feels atrocities and crimes, but there is no empathy left. “I delegate my weaknesses to you…I wish you all the best!” Poisonous Flowers of Violence introduces that riff and runs with it. Dead Heart Confession forced me to google Jeffrey Dahmer. No Cure for Pain has one of the best climaxes on the album. Uncanny Delusions confirms White Ward are the avant-garde black metallers I have been craving in the lonely year which is 2020! And…
The sax and piano weave in and out and totally add to the face melting black metal, providing peaceful transitions, satisfying on their own.
Personal bloggo: I met and voluntarily let an amazing, beautiful momma go. I could tell the timing of the relationship was not right for me and I was resenting what I had. My go it alone phase was thriving before I met her, and I knew I wasn’t ready to let that lonely adventurous lifestyle go just yet. She is an awesome woman and soon some dude is going to be thrilled and ready to give her the attention she deserves. Peace out folks and thanks for any feedback, and go give this one a listen dammit! It’s my album of 2020!