On the Verge of Collapsing

Album Review

It's not often that I stumble across a collection of songs that leaves me breathless. With On the Verge of Collapsing, it has happened once again. Listening to this album, I imagine myself sitting on the front porch of my family's cabin in the mountains, sipping hot chocolate while a fire crackles in the front yard.

When I first heard this record, I knew very little about Other Desert Cities. How that was possible, I have no clue. Music this beautiful deserves a much wider audience. At its heart is C. Charles Bowden, who wrote all of the songs and gives the album its warm, unhurried character.

The album opens with the heartfelt “On Time.” The harmonica slips in at just the right moment, setting the tone for music that feels both natural and timeless. Bowden sings about driving across the country with his girl, finding reassurance in having her there beside him. He brings the instruments together so well, never forcing anything or letting the arrangement get in the way of the song.

By the time “These Things Happen” arrives, it's clear this album is something special. The song tells the devastating story of a husband receiving a phone call about his wife's death in a car crash. It makes me want to cry. Bowden's tempo changes follow the verses beautifully, and the horn enters at just the right moment, helping express the man's grief without overwhelming it. I love how the album moves between different themes while keeping that emotional honesty intact.

“Heavy Waters” sounds as though it could have come straight from Neil Young's catalog, especially when the brief guitar solo appears halfway through. “Recovery” also carries the warmth of a record from the '70s. It's one of the most beautiful instrumental pieces I've heard in recent memory, giving the album a moment to breathe without losing its hold on me.

As you can probably tell, I'm very fond of this release. There is something comforting about its sound, even when the songs deal with loss and pain. The arrangements leave room for the stories, and the melodies stay with me long after the album ends. Words can only explain so much of what makes this record special. Do yourself a favor and hear it for yourself.

Review by Anthony P. Hanna

For Fans Of: Hotel Underground, Neil Young, Damien Jurado, Bob Dylan, Richard Swift, Frank Lenz, Sufjan Stevens, and Wilco.