A Starving Viking – An Artist Feature

 

     A Starving Viking features charismatic vocals and instrumental support that has a charm far exceeding its complexity. ”It’s Mine Now”  and “But Who’s to Say?” are strong evidence of the accuracy of that description. The first of the two songs is from the recently released “The Milksop EP,” while the second was on the 2019 debut album “Semblance” (which was remixed and reintroduced this year as “reSemblance”).
 
     “It’s Mine Now” begins with an acoustic guitar hook that resurfaces at various times within the single, but never loses its shine. At the end of the intro, simple percussion and the voice of A Starving Viking enter. The voice is comforting, regardless of the subject matter. A Starving Viking is the stage name of vocalist and songwriter Matt Jarrett, who is based in Connecticut. He describes the content of the three songs on “The Milksop EP” as being about confidence, depression, and getting out of your own way. The chorus of “It’s Mine Now” requests help:

And oh... you noxious mind

Help me find a spine on the side of the road

And make it mine

 
     A piano also positively impacts “It’s Mine Now.” The instrument doesn’t arrive until almost 90 seconds into the song and isn’t featured until the bridge that follows, but the piano is engaging.
 
     The 3-song “The Milksop EP” can be purchased via Bandcamp at the site of Resonating Wood Recordings (CLICK HERE). For the EP, Matt Jarrett enlisted the help of Tony Calabro and Astoria Park Recording for mixing duties. Jarrett says of the EP:
  “These songs have the energy and feel of what A Starving Viking is. I’m excited for people to hear these. You can call it folk, as it’s primarily a guy and a guitar, but these songs feel a bit different. Floating on the edge of a genre. Indie-Fringe-Garage-Folk? Is that a thing?”
 
     “It’s Mine Now” by The Starving Viking

Lyrics of “It’s Mine Now” by The Starving Viking

What’s this you find?

Old habits paying mental fines

Load the gun...

And just shoot ‘til you find your foot

 

And oh... you noxious mind

Help me find a spine on the side of the road

And make it mine

 

Picture me

Binge watch this catastrophe

I’ve set my trap.

Rodion would be proud of that

 

And oh... you noxious mind

Help me find a spine on the side of the road

And make it mine

 

And oh... you noxious mind

Help me find a spine on the side of the road

And make it mine

 

Just shut me down and wave the fee

I can dump it all in a cup of tea

As long as I just try and see

And fake most of what’s meant to be

 

A life too long in solitude

Comes back to bite my attitude

So shake my skull with magnitude

And I’ll attempt a song of gratitude

 

What’s this you find

Old habits paying mental fines

Load the gun

And just shoot til you find your foot

 

And oh... you noxious mind

Help me find a spine on the side of the road

And make it mine

 

And oh... you noxious mind

Help me find a spine on the side of the road

And make it mine

 
     As already noted, “But Who’s to Say?” is a single from the debut album of A Starving Viking. The song is a lyrical masterpiece in its ability to make a point effectively and poetically by presenting a series of counter positions.  

     “But Who’s to Say?” by The Starving Viking

     “The Ascent” shows A Starving Viking’s ability to light a fire in a concert setting. The percussion waits patiently for nearly a minute, then demands the spotlight in a song that includes several appealing contributions.

          “The Ascent” by A Starving Viking

Lyrics of “The Ascent” by The Starving Viking

I'm on a mountain of all that used to be

Trudging a path I just can’t see

My head's a mess with some unknown fear

 

But I reached the top alone

I reached the top alone

I reached the top alone

Now leave me here

 

These lives emerge and I walk away

Over dying leaves and our tribe’s future decay

There’s a boy by a stream who drinks his family's tears

 

But he reached the top alone

He reached the top alone

He reached the top alone

Now leave him here

 

That boy is left with a pair of old man's shoes

Leather all black and the souls cracked in two

He built a new house but don't you come near

 

Because he reached the top alone

He reached the top alone

He reached the top alone

Now leave him here

 

Because he reached the top alone

He reached the top alone

He reached the top alone

Now leave him here

 

    “The Hither Shore” is another song from “The Milksop EP.” It’s fair to describe “The Hither Shore” as rhythm-driven, other then during the span that begins at 2:22. Interestingly, while it is certainly not fair to describe the song as Rap, A Starving Viking shows that he possesses the needed skills for that genre. The single exits the more relaxed span with a crescendo that leads to Rap-ready lyrics. 

      “The Hither Shore” by The Starving Viking

Lyrics of “The Hither Shore” by The Starving Viking

Hold steady now...

Gravity still falls behind the sun

Oh, it’s just a sharp, brutal rut

But we’ll kick, and claw

Shackles and all

We’ll find, we’ll find the Hither Shore

 

Hold steady now...

Your eyes can see through the night

Walk, the water’s endless dream

But we’ll kick, and claw

Shackles and all

We’ll find, we’ll find the Hither Shore

 

You’re lost but not alone

I’m lost but not alone

We’re lost on a trail in our home

So kick, and claw

Shackles and all

We’ll find, we’ll find the Hither Shore

In our home, poisoned ivy and woes,

Scratching light from the sun

And pain that tastes like

Bramble and wine filled with

Shadows that cry, pluck a smile from the dirt

And throw tears into

The pit we shall climb, it’s never ending’s

A lie, spike a tent on the ledge

And wait, the night will die...

 

But shackles and all

We’ll find, we’ll find the hither shore

In our blood, spill the blood on a rock,

Throw the rock at the clouds,

And crush the beta

Blocking the sun, fill the cracks we have won

Ride the wave it’s become

To the light that spins

And warns us to turn, open arms of concern

Grasping straws with our nerves

That scream out and

Echo courage to learn, bare no crosses to burn

Light a candle of war

And we’ll find the Hither Shore

     "The Milksop EP”