"Al Riggs is on a VERY short list of artists who's prolific nature is a gift. On the new album "We're Safe But For How Long" Al's vocals are direct and delivered intimately, while the surrounding music is [their] most varied yet. Every song on this album feels like a location. I hope it's delivered in a map."- Eddie Garcia (1970's Film Stock, Pedal Fuzz)
“Given Al’s taste in sweaters, I’d say it’s #1 with a bullet.”- Phil Venable (No Depression, HeyNC!)
"I mean, yeah, well, fuck [them], it's great"- Reese McHenry (The Second Wife, Reese McHenry and the Fox, The Dirty Little Heaters)
"What?"- Lauren Petto (lead guitar player in al's touring band)
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The follow up to one of Indy Week's Top Local Albums of 2017, "Hell House", "We're Safe But For How Long" is a darker, smokier affair. Originally longer and more grandiose in scale, the fat has been trimmed to 9 songs in a tight 36 minutes, making every word concise and pointed.
"These songs were mostly written with pathetic masculinity a constant theme running through my head", al writes about the album. "How a lot of men see the art of creation as a means of holding power over someone else, and how they use that power for unspeakable evil. Ranging from truly awful scumbags like Ethan Kath (referenced in the literal centerpiece 'Privately Remembered') to plain old boy's club/record store dude mentality, no one is actually safe from poisonous dudes. On the other hand, a lot of these dudes are starting to learn that they're not safe either."
credits
released June 1, 2018
all songs written by al riggs
al: guitars, vocals, drums, drum programming, electric piano, bass, midi synths
Brad Cook: guitars and recording on "Privately Remembered"
Fred Thomas: vocals on "How To Form a Proper Fist"
Special thanks to Phil Cook for usage of his electric piano.
Artwork by Dylan Balliet
Thanks to: Dustin for audio proofreading and other boyfriend duties, Mom, Dad, Sara, Justin Ellis, Lauren Petto, Owen Fitzgerald, Lindsey Charlotte, Owen Ashworth, Brad Cook, Fred Thomas, John Darnielle, Reese McHenry, Skylar Gudasz, Kym Register, Sarah Ward, Mark Connor, Allison Hussey, Ross Grady, Jim Venable, anyone else I'm forgetting, the staffs at Bull City Records, The Cave, The Pinhook, and the Carolina Theatre.
Phil makes sometimes quiet, sometimes ear shattering, always pretty and dense records and this one is no different. As big as all outdoors and as small as a small wooden shack, as to be expected. al Riggs
Dance to this all night and then the morning and then the afternoon until your legs turn to noodles or the landlord starts a-knocking on your floor/their ceiling with a broom. Whichever happens first. al Riggs
Landlady live is a force of nature, on record they are just as gorgeous and anxious as they are in the Flesh World. More Nervous Energy for those who like tremendous drumming and proper earworms. al Riggs
The wonderfully understated folk songs on the new EP from Emma Geiger recall the best of The Softies and early Mary Lou Lord. Bandcamp New & Notable May 9, 2022