From a Fountain, AKA Douglas Kirby isn’t satisfied with just releasing one album in a year. Milky Mile premiered back in August, and now, Milky Mile Two has the California-based by way of South Dakota musician sharing nine more verbose and sprawling tracks, all of which are over far too quickly; a contradiction sure, but a welcome one.
Album opener “I’m Pooped” clocks in at eight minutes, but the song defies the imagery it’s own name implies. “I’m Pooped” is a driving, upbeat story about the passing of time and whatever other thoughts seem to pass through Kirby’s head, like the idea of a beer going well with lunch —something most of us probably agree with. But the best lines remain the ones focused on time, “I borrow time/Time you’ve given me to say something/Don’t take it away/It’s a part of me/It’s a fucking part of me!” followed by a playful keyboard riff that works to offset the intensity of a somewhat bold statement.
From here, Milky Mile Two continues its wordy quest by taking a romantic turn in “Oars Aside.” Paired with Kirby’s terse descriptions and a slow, slightly meditative beat, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in the song, or let the song get wrapped up in you. A low piano and bagpipe-sounding combination towards the end make “Oars Aside” one of the more unnerving tracks on the album, but a must-listen just the same.
It seems From A Fountain did the opposite of saving the best for last, as Milky Mile Two opens strongly with “I’m Pooped” “Oars Aside” and (my favorite) “ Hold On To Him.” This song is also the most space rock sounding song on an album filled with a conglomerate of genres — folk, indie rock, psych rock, pop and beyond. The space rock tag seems to fit From a Fountain the most, since what ties Milky Mile Two tightly together from “I’m Pooped” to “Grape Juice” is Kirby’s flamboyant tongue. The verbosity of his lyrics manages to not come across as too literary. There is no feeling of listening to an audiobook with a soundtrack here, it goes deeper and much more fascinating than that. It’s something that’ll follow you around once you’re done listening — not unlike the end of a really great book.
Review by Alex Martinez. Follow her on Twitter at @xxalexm.
