Faye Webster Underdressed At The Symphony

Faye Webster's songs are a direct line to the human unconscious, and "Underdressed at the Symphony" documents what happens when one begins to build a new self from the rubble of old routines. Her previously released songs "But Not Kiss" and "Lifetime" already show the rarely explored territory of emotional intimacy, where desire and passion conflict with comfort, understanding and even platonic love. These themes are echoed in "Underdressed at the Symphony," along with hyper-specific symbols that paint a picture of Webster's life, such as "eBay Purchase History" or the objects she covets at "Lego Ring."

"Underdressed at the Symphony" was recorded with her longtime band at Sonic Ranch Studios in Texas and revels in experimentation, playfulness and adventure. Vocoder moments, orchestral flourishes, spooky harmonies and synthesisers emerge without compromising the spacious quality of Webster's earlier music, so her lyrics still have plenty of room to bubble to the surface with added layers of meaning. Matt "Pistol" Stoessel's pedal steel sounds provide just the right shimmer, while Wilco's Nels Cline contributes his undeniably soulful dexterity to a number of songs. Huddling together on the literal border between the US and Mexico gave the musicians room to isolate, focus and experiment. All of the songs on this album are live recordings, some of which were recorded on the first or second take, showcasing Webster's talent for drawing a universal experience from a very specific, seemingly small moment.