Black Marble – Bigger Than Life (Vinyl)

Chris Stewartset out to write and record his third album asBlack Marble, he was newly living in Los Angeles, fresh off a move from New York.The environment brought much excitement and possibility,but the distance had proved too much for the car he brought along.With it out of commission indefinitely, he purchased a bus pass and planned his daily commute from his Echo Park apartment to his downtown studio, where he began to shapeBigger Than Life.The route wound all through the city, from the small local shops of Echo Park to the rising glass of the business district, to the desperation of Skid Row. The hurried energy of the environment provided a backdrop for the daily trip. When Stewart finally arrived at his studio,hed look through his window at the mountains and the sky, seeing the beauty that makes L.A. unique the same beauty his fellow commuters,some pushed to the edge of human endurance, had seen.That was the headspace he was in when he began to map out the syncopated drums and staccato arpeggiation ofBigger Than Life, an ode to his new condition and a shimmering synth-pop response to itscacophony.

Everything about this record from the album art to the title, to the themes to all the sounds on the record is my response to this particular time, Stewart says. Music is what I choose to do in response to this time. I think its a time where its easy to feel powerless, but Im trying to express humility, because I think gratitude comes from humility and thats a powerful thing. The people that practice the least humility also seem to be the least grateful. Im learning the two are connected.

Tracklisting

1. Never Tell
2. One Eye Open
3. Daily Driver
4. Feels
5. The Usual
6. Grey Eyeliner
7. Bigger Than Life
8. Private Show
9. Shoulder
10. Hit Show
11. Call