Review: Pandemic inspires Laura Jane Grace with new songs

Laura Jane Grace, 'œStay Alive'ť (Polyvinyl Record Co.)

Between life and death in these strange days comes the welcome voice of Laura Jane Grace.

The Against Me! singer and guitarist has taken a break from both her superb punk band and her side project, Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers. She's alone in a Chicago studio for the pandemic-inspired 'œStay Alive,'ť except for producer Steve Albini.

'œThis only feels like the death of everything,'ť she sings in the first song. It concludes 13 songs later with the raw-sung plea: 'œPlease stay alive/please survive!'ť

Recorded in just days in July, the album is somewhat of a mixed bag, but always fascinating, lifted by lyrics that are equal parts opaque, raw and funny. 'œI am a haunted swimming pool/I am emptied out and drained,'ť she sings on the opener, "The Swimming Pool Song." Later, you'll run to a dictionary to try to understand what 'œpetrified polymorphs'ť are.

Grace misses traveling - and, in particular Portugal - in 'œThe Calendar Song,'ť but is ambivalent about travel on 'œShelter in Place,'ť where she notes: 'œThere's always someone dying to leave/Where you're dying to get to.'ť The album also includes what can only be described as an anti-Trump scream in 'œHanging Tree,'ť with the line: 'œYou can't trust a man with hair like that.'ť

Some songs are reminiscent of the Ramones and some are almost just fragments. Some tunes are insanely heavy for just an acoustic guitar and a voice (the way she snarls the word 'œcroissant'ť in one song is pure punk). Many feel like diary entries, filled with regret. The cover image of an ashtray filled with old joints may lull you into thinking its a soft collection. It's not.

Whatever you do, don't call it an acoustic set. Grace has vowed that if you do so, 'œmy six-string strumming ghost will haunt 10 generations of your family every night of their lives with bedroom busking.'ť

Standouts include the Joan Jett-like 'œSuperNatural Possession'ť and the Celtic-flavored 'œThe Magic Point.'ť Of all the music composed and inspired by COVID-19, 'œStay Alive'ť is worthy of a listen. While wearing a mask, mind you.

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Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits