SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BUTCH BASTARD – LAS VEGAS SALVATION

Butch Bastard
Las Vegas Salvation
Big Cartel

Butch Bastard is the pseudonym of Seattle-raised, LA-based singer-songwriter Ian Murray, formerly of Poor Moon, and Las Vegas Salvation is his second album. Although he has had some help here, it is very much a solo release, recorded mainly in his home studio. Featured here are some top notch, well-known and respected musicians including Mitch Rowland (Harry Styles), Richard Gowen (Brooks Nielsen), Laena Myers-Ionita (FEELS, The Like), Aaron Otheim (Mega Bog) , Bill Patton (J Tillman, Gold Leaves), and Peter Murray (Poor Moon, Jean Chalant). Here, everyone is brought together for a remarkable and strong album.

Musically, Butch Bastard brings to mind Robert Ellis, with the same sense of melody and unexpected lyrics. The album opens with the piano-based “Waiting For A Hot Pocket”.  “Elegy For The Baby Boomer in D” features beautiful piano, slide guitar and lovely lyrics. It is a lament, but with a very observant one. Much like Father John Misty (with whom Butch Bastard is touring), the songs lull the listener into his world. “Rubbermaid Woman”, “Tina Turner Legs/Richard Nixon Eyes”, and the title track, are all part of Butch Bastard’s scheme to lure the listener in with incredible and catchy music and then hit them with wry observations. It is genius.

Las Vegas Salvation is a strong album and one that demands the listener’s attention.

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