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CHUCK’s Final Single – ‘Happy Birthday’

  • Published in News

Brooklyn (via Massachusetts) based bedroom musician CHUCK (aka Charles Griffin Gibson) issued his acclaimed final album, Frankenstein Songs for the Grocery Store, on August 18 through Audio Antihero Records. Combining a lush classic pop sound with elements of ‘80s new wave, ‘90s alternative and ‘00s emo, it was a foggy, eclectic, emotional and lyrical LP. The album’s third single ‘Happy Birthday’ is the album’s most ambitious and conflicted moment. Accompanied by a stunning VHS-chic music video and backed by gorgeous non-LP B-Side ‘America’ and a new remix from Benjamin Shaw, this release shows CHUCK’s characters at their most desperate and their most toxic.

“This was initially written when I was in a weird situation with an ex. I think this was around 2012. We had dated a few years prior in a different city, and then one day we found ourselves both single and living in Brooklyn. We tried rekindling things, but it didn't work. As I wondered why, I sat down and cranked out ‘Happy Birthday’. The specifics of my situation were too sappy and abstract for a CHUCK song, so it morphed into something more sinister for this weird narrative.

For the video I tapped friend and filmmaker Chris Boniello. He listened to the song for a few weeks and came up with a concept. It's on point! The video is about searching through memories and moments in your mind for something or someone. It really synced up with the original inspiration for the song, and I think we can all relate to that journey on some level. Shout out to the legendary Benjamin Shaw for his fantastic b-side remix, and also, included in the single is ‘America’ - an unreleased track from 2009. It's the single that keeps on giving. Enjoy.”

 

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CHUCK - Frankenstein Songs For The Grocery Store

  • Published in UNX

A parting gift from Charles Griffin Gibson, Frankenstein Songs for the Grocery Store is his final release as CHUCK, and a charming farewell it is.

Opting not to flip the table or reinvent the wheel on this record, all 15 tracks possess a touch of lo-fi and twee as Gibson's candid lyrics narrate DIY soundscapes. Like extended and produced vocal recordings, the tracks give snapshots into the life and / or imagination of the writer as they're spoken softly in your ear. The minimal and almost discordant nature of the music won't be to everyone's tastes, but the sincerity is endearing even is the guitar playing isn't virtuoso. 

'Bodies (Studio)' is an acoustic ballad, 'Hudson' is a wavering instrumental, 'Bulldog [Interlude]' is just that, and 'Meow' is a jangling indie rock number. Then 'Oceans (Electric)' drones and 'Caroline' yearns, each track possesses a unique identity and the record jumps from gear to gear as you traverses each of these in turn. Described as a "bedroom musician" this mish-mash of tracks makes sense, although there's no doubting CHUCK could be something clean and coherent if that's the intention. 

Fun to listen to in full or in parts, Frankenstein Songs for the Grocery Store is a fitting closing fanfare for CHUCK as it showcases a variety of influences and styles, wrapping up the story in a comprehensive way. Whilst this is the last of this moniker, hopefully the mind of Gibson will dabble in music again soon. 

Frankenstein Songs for the Grocery Store is available now from iTunes and Amazon

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