Los Angeles-based Marvin Etzioni and Willie Aron are described as a “power-folk duo” but their second album under the mantle of Thee Holy Brothers has more in common with the spirit of classic sixties pop.
The optimism of music from this era was born of genuine optimism that a cultural ‘revolution’ would bring peace and love to the masses. But flower power didn’t work, wars didn’t end and the fatal flaws inherent in human nature mean that greed, cynicism and nihilism are part of the reality we now live in.
Where can we find hope and positivity these days?
Guru Honk offers one unorthodox way forward through the observation that “there’s a monkey in your soul when you lose control.”
Accepting the chaos is one possibility although the temptation to turn off the news and go back to bed is also recognised in The Holy In Everything (Holy Day Mix) although this is couched in a belief that even the darkest clouds have silver linings.
Brushes with mortality tend to put things into true perspective. This is something these ‘holy brothers’ know all too well, Etzioni was diagnosed with cancer, while Aron’s spouse recently passed away from the disease.
Unsurprisingly, the curse of the Big C is a running thread on this album.
Sunshine In My Veins documents Etzioni’s chemotherapy treatment. Ode To Harry Cell is presumably a reference to Hairy cell leukemia; a cancer of the white blood cells (“I hope I never see the likes of you again”) and the title track expresses his elation at being diagnosed cancer-free.
Jangly joy is hardly trending these days but it is always welcome. It's a valuable reminder that some days are better than others.
