Rosendale’s Samuel Claiborne came out of the ’80s No Wave scene in New York, most notably as lead guitarist in the band Things Fall Apart. Although it’s his solo sophomore effort, Love, Lust, and Genocide is much more on-the-sleeve lyrically and musically, the nine Morphine-esque rock tunes are littered with schizophrenic dustings of horns, strings, and spoken word. “21st Century War” features Senegalese vocal stylings by Mamadou Diate and plays like a mockumentary mashup of a Talking Heads song and “Le Show’s” Harry Shearer. All writing credits (except Trent Reznor’s “Hurt”) go to Claiborne, who also plays guitar, percussion, flute, and viola and sings lead vocals. The lyrics are overt, the subject matter provocative, the vocal delivery deadpan. Unjust wars in the Middle East, the decline of American society, and morally bankrupt “believers” all make undisguised and storied appearances. Progressives will nod/bang their heads knowingly and approvingly at the sardonic debates. Are the media-sterilized drone bombings less fraught with ethical morass? Are we really morally superior because we condemn our soldiers for pissing on dead Taliban? A gaggle of stellar musicians make appearances on the album, including Diate, Tomas Doncker (True Groove label head), cellist Jane Scarpantoni (Lou Reed, Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow), Finnish lap steel player Artur Uronen, flutist Steve Gorn, and even Bill Laswell, who has a stint playing bass on the final track. SamuelClaiborne.com.
This article appears in December 2015.
Just wanted to point out that this is not my solo debut. Chronogram’s very own Peter Aaron reviewed my album The Annunciation, in 2009.
Thanks! – Samuel Claiborne
Thanks Samuel. We fixed it!
Hello. Im looking for a rhythm guitarist/concertmaster who can also play lead and possibly sing and/or double on another instrument for a new band which will be performing original songs and also obscure and strange cover songs, everything from the Kropotkins Juniors Groove to Chris Whitleys Velocity Girl to PJ Harveys One Line.
The band will definitely rock, but also has some experimental leanings so a typical gig may have some jammy or psychedelic sections in among the songs. In addition, dynamic range is important: this band will range from super quiet and delicate to bone crunching. Influences range from those mentioned above to Frank Zappa, the Kinks, Radiohead, Royal Blood, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Morphine. It will be a quartet, usually comprised of two guitars, bass and drums, though I also play viola and some homemade instruments.
You need to have eclectic tastes, be a quick study (i.e. able to learn covers quickly and teach them to the band), have decent equipment, and want to have fun. This music must excite you, pique your interest, because this is an art project, not a wedding band.
I dont care how old you are, or how young, or about your gender, your race, your religion, or your sexual orientation, as long as you want to find a group of musicians to build something great with. I am looking for chemistry and passion, not just chops. I doubt well get rich, but hopefully well gig, possibly tour, and have a lot of fun making great music.