Marian Runk -- Two Wires and a Spark

Marian Runk brings a novelist’s pen to Two Wires and a Spark. Dallas-born and Chicago-based, Runk turns her lens on the pecularities of Midwestern culture: Bible-thumping Mennonites, burned-out towns, cold winters, Rust Belt ennui. This is by no means a downer of an album, though: Runk tells these stories alongside a vintage folk and jazz sound, suggesting that the bad things don’t have to weigh you down.

There’s plenty of weight here, though, as Runk grapples with grief and loneliness. “Broken And Free” movingly illustrates the weight of addiction and loss, even as Runk’s delivery is light and distant. “Possibility” calls to mind early jazz quintets even as Runk shakes off false hopes — and knows that’s to her detriment. “Boys Will Be Boys” stands out, the deep anger in Runk’s lyrics contrasting with her band’s light touch, creating a chilling tension.

Pulling from Chicago’s status as the crossroads of the South and the West, the music here is loose and airy, surefooted while embracing the Windy City’s winter chill. Continuing in the tradition of the Roaring Twenties, there’s a devil-may-care attitude here even as the weight of the world comes pressing down. It’s almost as if Runk is accepting the sweetness of oblivion, and is inviting us to join in. But here’s the thing about country music — those earthy lyrics and plodding beat also remind us to keep pushing forward, because the bad times don’t last forever.

Two Wire and a Spark will be available tomorrow, Friday the 13th. You can pre-save the album here, and pre-order digital and vinyl on Bandcamp.

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