Album Review: Bright Arcana – To the Terrible Blood

If you’re looking for experimental and interesting stylings mixed with folk and rock music, look no further than the latest album from accomplished musician Bright Arcana. This name evokes an interesting mix in and of itself, brightness combined with secrecy. It’s a unique blend in the name that comes through in the music as well; there’s nothing quite like it and I’m happy to support the album here.

The opening track is an experimental instrumental, but the second track “White Oleander” is the first song with vocals and lyrics. It’s also a great tune that brings forth easy comparisons with artists like Tom Petty and even (more recently) Dawes. The easy going folk rock elements are a chill listening experience with the fantastic vocal blending resulting in a timeless, engaging sound. The piano solos between verses are excellent as well.

The following “I Wish I Was There” has a familiar energy to it with the rhythmic guitar setting the stage and electric guitar dancing with highlights. The narrative of the song is a lot more complex than merely wishing they were with someone; it’s about the unsettling perspective of feeling genuinely out of place. The layered, unique rhythmic structure helps to convey the message of the lyrics.

“Lily of Lake Michigan” has a beautiful melodic structure to it. I’m not at all surprised to hear that Bright Arcana opened for Jeffrey Martin and Anna Tivel. There’s a lot about the sound that reminds me of them both, but especially Tivel’s characteristic poetic and often heavy lyrical style. This track has some fascinating turns of phrase along with this soaring folksy aspect on the chorus that feels just right. The line, “save your readings for the devotees” sticks with the listener on this one. It’s got layers of meaning.

If you feel like you’re noticing a theme reading this review, it’s true; the theme is complexity. This album contains several songs that are on another level of lyrical complexity. “Songs I sing for free, just deposits for the content economy.” This line on “I Wash the Bodies of Your Dead” is scathing and makes me feel all sorts of emotions. Should I be guilty for listening to this music for free? Are we, as music fans, exploiting the musicians by enjoying their art? Should artists feel bad about sharing their music? It’s not necessarily a new concept of artists trying to make a living, but something about this line and this song really makes it seem powerful. There’s a morbid turn partway through the song with a hat tip to throwback honkytonk music and a notion that the “only songs I sing, I sing for them.”

The title track “To the Terrible Blood” has a cathartic, beautiful element with some gorgeous vocal harmonies. It’s probably my favorite track on the album. The cool steel guitar work on this track makes for a magical sound. The track reminds me of what I loved about Joshua James’ dark poetry in his music as well. Bright Arcana has captured many of those vibes that require multiple listens and an almost meditative level of concentration to fully connect.

Ironically, “Dharma Blues” is more optimistic than most of the tracks on the album despite it being a blues song. It’s not blues in the sense of a lament about a love lost. It’s actually about seeking wisdom and feeling frustrated by existential questions. There are a variety of references, including to the labor activist Joe Hill, that require several careful listens of the track to fully pick up. If you’re a hippie (or at least familiar with the traditions), you’ll find a lot to like about this one. It’s a brilliant performance.

The penultimate track “The Worth of a Man” has a throwback steel guitar with a peaceful lament style on the vocal. The juxtaposition between the traditional country and folk elements with a swaying synth in the background creates a sound truly unique to the song. Lyrically, it’s about not understanding what shapes the worth of a man. It’s a continuation of the existential questions seemingly at the heart of the album; it’s about seeking and asking genuinely about why the world is the way it is.

All told, this album does a great job of blending styles and ideologies for a set of questions that are sure to resonate with a lot of listeners. I will say this about it; be prepared to lean in and listen close. It’s not the kind of music that you can casually engage with in the background; it’s far too complex for that. However, if you take the time to engage with this art I’m certain you will be enriched by the range of messages and contemplations that Bright Arcana brings to bear.


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