Patti in the Dining Car by The Michael Character

For many musical artists, performing provides a chance to get into character, a similar release that an actor feels in their profession. However, some artists instead choose to bring their full selves to the table, refusing to augment, overplay, or distort their essence. Folk punk often sees artists take this earnest approach, and the new album Patti in the Dining Car by The Michael Character very much follows in this tradition. Touchingly straightforward lyrics about the struggles of being a teacher or the slow degradation of friendships give us the feeling that we’re just having a one-on-one conversation with the singer. Sonically, everything here sounds delightfully unpolished, only furthering the artist’s quest to eliminate the barrier between themselves and the listener. Tempos, tones, and structures vary wildly from song to song and even from verse to verse, always bending to the emotional whims of a speaker with whom we can all easily and deeply empathize. With all the posturing we do in our creative and personal lives, an experience like Patti in the Dining Car always serves as a helpful reminder that our most effortlessly authentic selves typically resonate more with others than any character could.