Cursive's "The Ugly Organ" turns 20

 

Eventhough "The Ugly Organ" is 20 years old now and CURSIVE followed it up with five more albums, their 2003-epic still is the record that defines them, their record that feels the most realized, their most urgent, their flawless-one, their masterpiece, the one everybody is going back at... you get it!

CURSIVE were on top of their game in the early 2000s, releasing their three best records between 2000 and 2003. Personally I've always felt "Domestica" more than "The Ugly Organ", and in terms of emotions and relatability there are not much records that can challenge it for me, though from an objective standpoint I gotta say that "The Ugly Organ" is the better record. It's a ridiculous self-argument anyway cause they released back-to-back undisputed masterpieces like not many bands did it before or after.

What's impressive about "The Ugly Organ" is the artistic touch CURSIVE added to their soundsphere. The production is richer and full of lovely, little details. Their style is more versatile and open-minded. Their musicality is on top. Their whole songwriting and consequently their music got even more imaginative than before. And last not least: They wrote their best hooks and their most touching melodies and harmonies for this AND maintained their quirky nature, damn, they even upped their quirky-ness with "The Ugly Organ". And that's what makes it such an outstanding record!

It doesn't matter how far they go, they always stay true to their "roots", when they combine their new, artsy site with the -still present- "on-the-mouth"-aesthetics from "Domestica". Check the opening two-punch of "Some Red-Handed Sleight of Hand" and "Art is hard" to get a glimpse. Also, despite some moody intros, outros and interludes and all the ideas that are being thrown around, the songs are pleasantly short and to-the-point throughout.

Just like its predecessor "The Ugly Organ" is a concept album with a cohesive storyline, though it's more subtle and mysterious this time around, fitting to the character of the whole album. The story is about the main character "The Ugly Organist" (a musician) and his life. It seems to be part fictional and part autobiographical, just like "Domestica". The whole record is worked out perfectly and flows extremely well. 

With all that being said, something that also stands out on "The Ugly Organ" is the cello. It adds something new to their sound, as well as the more darker atmosphere. It's an outstanding record and one of a kind. 

Art isn't hard (for them).