Gettin' Weird With Josh Malerman

The multi-talented Josh Malerman, of The High Strung, has had a pretty successful year. First, The High Strung put out a fantastic new album, then he got a big book deal and now he put out his own solo double album! He must be exhausted!

His new solo album (his second) is called Preposterous! and it is exactly what you hope he would make, or at least what I hoped. Some of it is bit like the High Strung, or maybe it's just his voice reminding me of them. However, Preposterous! is definitely more...weird. Hence the name? Definitely good weird, though! However, it may not be for everyone. It is a bit trippy and eerie, making you feel like you're in a sort of dream world when listening to it. I'm guessing this is the appropriate response, since Josh states on his bandcamp that the correct way to listen to this album is 1- with the lights off, 2- have a friend in the room, 3- ONE drink and only ONE hit of grass per side, any more could be dangerous, and 4- ten minute breaks between sides. I'll admit, I didn't follow all of the rules, but I understand where they are coming from. 

Overall, this new release is different from music I would normally listen to, but it definitely intrigues me and makes me want to listen to it more and more and pick up on more within it. There are 36 songs afterall! Honestly, I really do like it, but there is a lot to it and writing a review of a writers work makes me nervous, so it's hard to find the right words to use! 

I do think it would sound even better on vinyl, so you should probably pick up a copy when he has them in January. The sort of grainy, weirdness of it could only be enhanced by vinyl. Plus the album artwork is awesome and could not be more perfect for it.

In summary, Josh had this to say about his work, and I think it is spot on, "It's more 'surreal nursery rhyme' than it is a rock album. Weird tales. I like to think of the album as a 'quilt of delirium'."

As of now it's only available on bandcamp, but it is one of those great deals where you pay what you want. Check it out! Can't wait to see what else Josh has in store for us in the future!

~B