Josh Fortenbery is like any of us. He’s just trying to get by.
The Alaska songwriter’s second album, Tidy Memorial opens with “Heaven’s Above,” a song set in the daily spiritual crush of this fucked-up era. “It’s not like I can’t see what’s wrong,” Fortenbery sings. “I read the news. I just hate protest songs.” Lyrically, there’s a bit of Jeff Tweedy to this tune: all the action is internal and Fortenbery is not shy of his own flaws. Overall, the world is a mess and he’s tired. Best case? Everything goes to hell, but he saves his dog.
“I’m just hoping for a peaceful war,” Fortenbery admits.
It’s relatable because he doesn’t pretend to have answers or moral high ground. By opening Tidy Memorial with this jangly ode to exhausted melancholy, Fortenbery invites the listener to take off their shoes, hang out and get to know these songs at their own pace. Some tunes are full-band Americana numbers. Some are built around grassy acoustic guitar. Some are funny in spots, but all the songs on Tidy Memorial are gentle with our rattled spirits—even when they deal with hard subjects.
