Posted on November 23rd, 2008 by Riftyrich
By Jeremy Anderson
The imagery, tones, and cadences in Bill Geezy’s music stand in sharp contrast to what one might expect from a current Twin Cities based singer/songwriter. The raspy drawl of his voice and rhythmic, processional folk/country instrumentation sound reminiscent of some rugged Texan troubadours from decades past. Yet, Geezy shouldn’t be discarded as merely an imitator or throwback musician. On Exit Wounds, his latest release, Geezy has delicately crafted together a collection of songs that subtly carry forward the folk traditions of the past.
Geezy appears emotionally and artistically at odds with the constant changes of modern city life, clamoring through his music for the rustic frontier that excites him. The disparity of these two worlds fuels Exit Wounds. This theme is quintessentially exempl
ified with the metaphorical song, “Round Peg/Square Hole” and is more poignantly engaged in “A Hundred Times A Day,” in which Geezy describes daydreaming himself away from the city into imaginary western settings.
Geezy wants to live in a romanticized gutbucket world that no longer exists but resides in a world that is incapable of fully suiting him. His willingness to engage this conflict brings about his best songwriting attributes. Time is passing by and he is keeping up the best he can, through his music.
In
“Pretty Pictures,” Geezy portrays uneasiness in which he witnesses his daughter grow into a woman. His sings, “By God, if I had it my way, I would turn back time to when you were young.” Geezy is a songwriter capable of diving into the complexity of his emotions, adding later in the song, “I know this might seem like a sad song / trust me darling, it’s really not / I just never been too good at changes
/ this time things are changing a lot.” The song is a touching, understated ballad that exemplifies the intricacies of Geezy’s artistry.
Bill Geezy’s music isn’t cutting edge and doesn’t have mass-market appeal. But in a way, that’s where its value lies. Much like A Prairie Home Companion, where Geezy has performed, his music provides a powerful link to the culture of America’s past. His stories seem applicable to any time period over the past fifty years; yet, his words remain relevant to today’s listeners. Things must change and Geezy helps ease us into the world of globalization, where technology evolves faster than we can ever keep up with. His words are straightforward, often contemplative, and strikingly authentic.