Train Tracks

Train Tracks by SAINT NICK THE LESSER is a beautiful counter culture track with an anti-folk undertone that excels in exploring a story with rich sonic depth and texture. This song has given me the opportunity to dig into the anti-folk genre, big in the eighties, the movement was a reaction to the commercialised folk genre. This track captures that dressed down, tongue in cheek attitude down to a T. The melodic foundation in this one is layers upon layers of guitars. There is a strumming tone that sets its foundation, giving the piece a rhythmic energy while also setting the anti folk tone into place. It lends levity and also contrasts the purity of the flowing vocals with its rough, textured sound.

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On top of this, there are subtle layers of more delicate guitar harmonies created by this plucked guitar part. This adds a breezy, light, sunbleached energy to the track overall while also developing the melody, exploring the higher register sections of its sonic palette. This ethereal sound is not present from beginning to end. It ebbs and flows, in and out of certain sections, allowing each moment it is there to be especially meaningful. It underscores the importance of certain lyrics and also keeps the mix ever-evolving and changing. These different guitar parts formulate this musical soup of interacting parts. With each part having its own attributes and personalities, there is a huge amount of catharsis in the interplay between them. The vocals are comfortable and honest, they represent the tone of the song beautifully. All of their imperfections contribute to the candid purity of the song, further distancing itself from the commercialised side of folk music. Although the vocal performance feels raw and unadulterated, you can tell that behind the scenes, a lot of care has gone into crafting that beautiful tone. I’m really impressed by the depth of the interplay between the guitar parts as well as the uncompromising and bold vocal performance.