By Stan Cierlitsky
Well, it's been a minute since Kurt Vile released a full-length album. Yeah, we did get the Classic Love EP last year, and the amazing Back to Moon Beach EP in 2023 (which they now seem to be calling an album), but by my calculation the last Kurt Vile full-length album was the classic Watch My Moves in 2022. And I'll say it's been worth the wait. Philadelphia's been good to me comes out May 29 via Verve Records and it's probably everything a Kurt Vile fan could possibly want.
The first single that came out earlier this year is the super radio-friendly "Chance to Bleed". Man, the chorus to this song keeps getting stuck in my head: "Now you got a chance to bleed now / With that old-time-lo-fi DIY rock and roll nights"
And you should definitely check out the video. It's just perfect. And it looks like it was such a great time putting together. I love all the extra "dancers" at the feel good concert, and it even looks like Kurt is having a great time.
The second single from the album "Zoom 97" might be my personal favorite here. It's a perfect album opener. As good as "Chance to Bleed" is, this well-produced slower slacker-type of song is why I love Kurt Vile. Years ago I heard the phrase, "it's like sitting on the back porch watching the world go by." That's exactly how I feel listening to this type of Kurt Vile song, and luckily we have quite a few great ones here.
Another favorite slacker song epitomizes Kurt's message for this album. It's the synth-driven sort of title song, "Philly's been good to me" and it’s part of the larger love letter he is crafting to the city he never left. As a guy from central Pennsylvania that grew up mostly in Maryland, his references hit so perfectly close to home for me. The lyrics about the Schuylkill River remind me of my childhood (I could never spell it either; had to look it up for this review). The shoutout to the Ottobar here in Baltimore had my jaw on the ground. So cool.
Philadelphia's been good to me isn't just a love letter to his hometown as it's a love letter to his family. As a fellow girl-dad, I just love these references. You can hear them throughout the album. My favorites are "got love in my life and three girls by my side" from "99th Song"; "my baby girls they keep me high" from "Zoom 97"; and the entirety of the song "Every time I look at you". Such a beautiful song. "Every time I look at you sparks fly from my eyes." Also, you can check out his Amazon Music exclusive cover of Charlie XCX's "Constant Repeat" which he sings with his two daughters.
I should probably wrap it up, but one more song I want to highlight is the closer "Avalanches of Snow". I love the horns on this. I just think Kurt is perfect at using other instruments and production to compliment his lead guitar. His music is never boring and consistently interesting.
That's probably enough as I should leave some for you to discover on your own. Kurt Vile's Philadelphia's been good to me is out May 29th via Verve Records. He is also touring extensively this year. Even starting at Baltimore's Ottobar again
[Photo: Eleanor Petry]