Music has always been a part of Adam Lippman’s journey. It was there during his teenage years, while touring the UK with his high school choir. While living in New York, he joined the band Supple, whose eclectic reimagining of the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” accompanied the film Hurricane Streets, a Sundance Film Festival winner. And while concocting solo material, he released his first album, Fool’s Gold (an album described by Paste Magazine as “brimming with competent pop/rock and subtle experimentation”). And there are several more musical endeavors to mention, but we’re here to talk about Adam Lippman’s latest – the indie rock-flavored single, “Wasted.” Is it of the same pedigree represented by Lippman’s vast, decades-spanning catalog? Let’s talk about it.
Wait. Who does what?
Adam Lippman plays everything you hear. And that’s the kind of skill one acquires when playing/recording music for a good portion of one’s life.
What does “Wasted” sound like?
This is pure indie/DIY gold (but with excellent sonic production). “Wasted,” in general, reminds me a bit of The Replacements; it’s guitar-based, melodic, playful-but-self-defeating alternative rock (but with a simple, clean, almost conversational voice unlike Paul Westerberg’s throaty, Bruce Springsteen-esque delivery).
“Wasted” begins with a simple 4 x 4 beat; it’s not aggressive, and it’s not intrusive; it’s the backbone for this mid-tempo, casually paced track.
And in comes the clean and recurring electric guitar pattern, and Lippman’s approachable, vulnerable voice – it delivers the musings of someone who, while ostensibly not up to the challenge, seeks communication and connection regardless of their manufactured reasons to avoid such things.
The chorus seems simultaneously more serious and more playful, like the reasons for said avoidance are convincing and a little depressing, but not necessarily the whole, unbreachable truth.
“When you gonna come around?
You didn’t have to run and hide from me
If I talk too much just shoot me down
We don’t have to look too far to see that it’s wasted
wasted, wasted”
The bridge? Very interesting, and sonically pleasing with what sounds like higher, chiming guitar notes cycled through a space-reflecting delay; this is a very nice aural cleanser that grants the song some unexpected atmosphere; it applies distance from the singer’s singular, confined perspective.
And after the bridge, we’re led to the chorus’ final refrains, now enriched by those continuing delayed notes. Here, Lippman delivers his final hidden plea for attention while simultaneously portending its ultimate futility, perhaps thinking something comparable to “ah, screw it,” and eyeing wistfully the bottom of his beer glass.
But is it good?
Adam Lippman is keeping the spirit of indie rock alive with his latest introspective tune. It’s honest in its dishonesty, and delivered simply and unvarnished. It’s the glory of defeat, and the safety brought about by its familiarity. It’s the simultaneous longing, and the fear of wasting emotional energy for very little, or perhaps negative, return.
If you’re looking for a catchy, easy-to-digest, indie/alternative track that only speaks the truth regardless of its several conflicting shades, I can’t help but recommend “Wasted” by Adam Lippman. Good, good stuff.
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