by David Wilikofsky
David Berman’s death in 2019 was a huge shock to me. Purple Mountains, his latest musical project, was some of the best music he’d ever recorded, and I was heartbroken to hear about his passing soon after the album’s release. While he may be gone, he remains a hugely influential musical figure. His spirit lingers overGhost of Your Guitar Solo, the latest album from MJ Lenderman. Perhaps best known as a member of the Ashville based band Wednesday, Lenderman cites Berman as an influence on his writing process for this album. It shows; the two share a propensity for shambolic, countrified rock songs with lyrics that will make you laugh out loud one minute only to gut punch you the next.
The seeds that would become Ghost of Your Guitar Solo were sown in jam sessions between Lenderman and his roommates. Although he spent time refining the melodies and freestyled lyrics that emerged, the album still exudes a relaxed, off the cuff spirit fitting of its origins. Some instrumentals, like “I Ate Too Much At The Fair”, lurch forward as if on the precipice of collapse, but even the tightest tunes here have a shambolic sway to them. Small moments of spontaneity, such as what sounds like the clatter of a dropped drumstick at the end of “Another Place”, only serve to enhance this vibe.
These humble sonics are the perfect compliment for Lenderman’s writing. His songs aren’t about grand epiphanies or epic drama, they deal with everyday moments. Some, like “Infinity Pool”, are joyous and celebratory, but more often than not Lenderman mixes pathos and humor. While the narrator of “I Ate Too Much At The Fair” was overindulging, they missed a chance ride on the ferris wheel with a love interest. “Gentleman Jack” finds Lenderman wistfully imagining that one day he’ll have it all, including Jack Nicholson’s courtside seat, but he settles on a comfortable hammock for now. “Someone Get The Grill Out Of The Rain” finds hungover man “drowning in pain” who needs to get his grill out of the rain before it rusts. They celebrate the beauty, sadness and absurdity of everyday life, and much like Berman’s best work, they stick in your mind long after the record ends.