Rueful Haywire
Last June, the mysterious Pompous Tinkers releases of Rueful Haywire, their first body of work since their debut album. Despite only having three tracks, Pompous Tinkers brought more intentionality and surrealism than they did on 2022’s Wight Mousse. Although I’m admittedly a little fuzzy on the specific lyrics and their message, the music of Rueful Haywire seems to be taking the listener on a journey. There is a breakdown, dissociation, finding relief, and finite march to the end. Pompous Tinkers commits to their signature themes, using dramatic and conflicting arrangements to build soundscapes that swallow you whole. The thought and level of detail that they put into their tracks is clear from the very first note.
The release begins with “Pitchfork Cemetery,” opening with a laidback, waltzing beat, like dancing though a haze. Despite the almost lazy beat, there is an unsettled, discordant noise in the background, summoning an image of a wind-up toy losing its strength. The drums tick on, keeping time like a clock, highlighting that something is slowing down. About three and a half minutes in, there’s an abrupt shift. Instead of the funky guitar groove, a distant bell rings, accented by squeals and shrieks. The vocals don’t change much, and it’s as if the toy as come to a stop, now breaking down. As the song closes, the track fades on the ringing bell, similar to an alarm trying to wake us up.
Rueful Haywire album artwork via Pompous Tinkers
Where “Pitchfork Cemetery” felt like a breakdown, the second track, “Static Television,” feels like falling into a comatose state. It’s comprised of darker tones, while dreamy vocals swim by, supported by deep harmonies. Musical phrases rise and fall like waves, but everything feels just out of reach. The track evokes a feeling of dissociating on the couch, while the TV just drones on in the background. The final moments are filled with rolling static, before finally shutting off.
Rueful Haywire’s story continues on with the final and most dynamic track, “Cigarette Blues.” Right out of the gate, the track almost feels like a rebirth. The guitar line is bright, with a reverb instead of distortion. The vocal line is almost entirely falsetto, floating through held harmonies. Combined with a shimmering high hat, there is a sense of restrained hope, relief after the darkness in “Pitchfork Cemetery” and “Static Television.” But it wouldn’t be a Pompous Tinker’s track if it were that simple. At the halfway point, the brightness fades, and is replaced with militant guitar and drum. A swirling synth seeps through the background, as if marching towards the unknown. This journey is coming to an end, and there is no avoiding it.
As I said in my review of Wight Mousse, Pompous Tinkers are unique and intangible. Something about them and their music slips through your fingers as you listen, making them more of an artistic experience than a band. Rueful Haywire proves that they are capable of expanding on their work, and I’m sure they have plenty of creativity left in the tank. I truly cannot imagine what they will come up with next.
