Diane and I were out and about yesterday on a sad errand, Shawn Colvin’s Fat City ebbing from the speakers of the Mazda3 Time Machine. Of late, when heading here or there by myself, I often find myself listening to it or her classic debut, Steady On; they’re part of an ever-shifting rotation that, of late, includes the not-so-new Elvis Presley box set Live 1969, Hayley Reardon’s last studio set, After Everything, plus other recent releases and select old favorites.
Back on point: Once Fat City receded to silence, we pressed play on For a Day or a Lifetime by the W Lovers. I’ve enjoyed the album on and off for the past month and, in fact, intended to spotlight it prior to its Monday release—but life, unfortunately, upended my plans.
For those unfamiliar with the duo: Seattle-based Fleur and Wesley Wood have been making music together for a decade now, traipsing across the country on tours and topping the Roots Music Report’s Alternative Folk Chart with their sophomore set, This Little Town, in 2019. They navigate the terrain of folk and Americana, filling their songs with heart, harmonies and gentle humor. Their new album is a solid set that continues that tradition. It’s framed by the calendar, beginning in January and ending in December.
It opens with “Little Ant,” which delves into day-to-day realities while sharing the foreboding sense many of us have, at least on occasion. America has weathered many tough times, while leaps forward have often been followed by periods of retrenchment. Yet, through it all, a sense of optimism underpinned much of life. That mindset often seems old-fashioned, nowadays, thanks to the rise of faux populism, conspiracy theories and willful ignorance.
“Creek and the Hills,” which follows, is a nostalgic journey through the past that many of us will identify with; Diane and I often sidestep the unpleasantness of the present by escaping into the long ago. “March” embraces the other definition of the word while sharing a mother’s thoughts about her grown son going off to war. “Trickle in the Fog” pays heed to those who have come before us while watching the tide roll out: “And the grains of sand can’t hold the weight/Of April’s pulling tide/We can only wish it carries us away.” Here’s a live rendition from a few months back:
The gentle “Jeanne’s Lilac” springs into May and the flowers hummingbirds feed from. The sweet “You and I” finds Wesley stepping to the fore to celebrate love and togetherness, while “Roll up the Highway” finds them on a memorable summer tour. “Treasure Like Gold” beckons August and an observation that it’s the little moments that make a life a life and a love a love. “Throw a Line” seeks to hold onto those moments before they slip away. “Dandelion Bouquets” blends October and November, when sunlight becomes scarce and depression, for some, the norm. The album ends on a sweet note with “I Loved You Best.”
At its worst, For a Day or a Lifetime is a pleasant listen; Fleur’s grainy vocals assure of that. At its best, however, it’s a stirring listen. “Little Ant” will make you think, “Creek and the Hills” will make you smile, and the second half is sure to have you nodding along.
The Old Grey Cat 