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Slim Twig is the name of a man, not of a band – though he has performed in many a group, some under his own moniker.
Boasting a catalogue several under-the-radar releases deep, the Toronto native lays claim to a tremendously original work with his orchestrally-inflected, art rock album, “A Hound At The Hem”.
Self-produced in fall 2010, “A Hound At The Hem” is a suite of narrative songs thematically inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita”.
Could this be in the misunderstood way that Humbert Humbert is portrayed? Or is it inspired through the unrequited chemistry between the two protagonists?
The novel-related theme is noticeable through some choice of song titles such as “Widow You Were Younger”, “All This Wanting”, “Maintain The Charade” and “Blonde Ascending (Come Into The Clatter)”.
Originally released on vinyl in an extremely limited run via Twig’s own Calico Corp label and Pleasence Records, DFA will give “A Hound At The Hem” its proper release on December 1st.
As a concept album exploring the troubling and the taboo and themes like the transformative power of lust, “A Hound At The Hem” can be interpreted as an echo-like response to Serge Gainsbourg and Jean-Claude Vannier’s “Histoire De Melody Nelson”.
Most of all, “A Hound At The Hem” poses the question; where next for Slim Twig, this promising and original auteur?
DFA is privileged to reissue this album in advance of the release of Twig’s newest works.