An Earthly Gift: Big Thief’s ‘Two Hands’ (5 Year Anniversary)
‘Two Hands‘ by Big Thief was released five years ago on October 11th. Now, once again, we celebrate its earthly gift.
Cosmic Companions
Big Thief is a band best known for some of the most gut-wrenching picturesque songwriting known to man. They have the ability to mould short stories that play through your mind with every passing song. ‘Two Hands’ showcases this talent in an unskippable and utterly raw project that leaves you hanging onto Adrianne Lenker’s every word. Leading on from their previous album ‘U.F.O.F.‘, released earlier in 2019, it captured a whole new world within itself. Each tune floated in and out of the cosmos. However, the fourth LP became an earthly companion to this celestial compilation.
Now with all teeth bared, the band could lean into their relationships with one another. This, as well as how that translates into the art they create together. An openness proved the right move, ‘Two Hands’ was deemed one of the best albums of 2019. Furthermore, it received two Grammy nominations with ‘Not’ for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance.
Two Hands, Five Souls
It is undeniable that Adrianne Lenker’s voice is a force that can pull you from pillar to pillar of every emotion. Above all, the ability to specify every detail whilst also conducting such an intimate personal connection. However, that is not the only way Big Thief communicates with their audience. Demonstrated by an array of incomparably talented musicians, there is movement in every guitar strum or heavy drum beat. Guitarist Buck Meek has such a unique style that feels so unconcealed in the way he plays. For instance, in ‘Not’ there is a thrashing bulky solo that conveys stories through the sounds of his instrument. It is almost mimicking lyrics with a whammy bar. In another case, tracks like ‘Wolf’ handle Lenker’s voice like a cushion, with plucky recurring picks and imperfect slides up and down the fretboard. Namely, it sounds similar to the starting strums of The White Stripes ‘We Are Going to Be Friends’.
While the components blend seamlessly, drummer James Krivchenia and bass player Max Oleartchik lay down a foundation faultlessly. Not only is this structure held up by the musicians themselves but also its contributors. In this case, producer Andrew Sarlo, known for producing their previous albums, brings a new element to the project. Undeniably a good album needs the glue from a producer who understands and works with that same openness as the artist. Krivchenia mixed the album with Sarlo, thus creating that true-to-self masterpiece we know.
The Earth, The Moon and Me
Additionally, the most incredible thing about the way each artist works together on this record is how intertwined they are with one another. Therefore, putting all insecurities and experiences on the table while creating music proves it’s the closest you can get to seeing directly into someone’s soul. I believe this is represented beautifully on the second to last song ‘Replaced’. Each member has their own time to shine while also projecting each other forward. Whilst during a song that speaks about being “…replaced by the mystery of the stars,”, we see a partnership that is held together so tightly by sheer willingness to be unguarded. Much like its predecessor ‘U.F.O.F.’ reminds us of that relationship between the earth and the vast darkness it exists within. In spite of its proximity to its surroundings, it still prevails as part of a bigger picture. Similar to how humans thrive in the space of those that encompass them.
Altogether, there are not many bands that create such a space for interpretation and storytelling. No matter what the song is about you can feel with them. ‘Two Hands’, to me, is the album that exhibits the group not only as masters of their art but as human beings who bare their souls to one another. Likewise, there is beauty in understanding the effort it takes for people to open up. Even so, we only know what they reveal, with perfected lyrics and collating the right sounds to accompany them.
During its release ‘Two Hands’ received all the recognition it so deserves. Even after just 5 years, this celebration of art persists, something that will continue through the ages. Whilst the project’s core remains the same, those feelings and moments live on through how we listen to it as time goes on.
You can find Big Thief on Instagram, X, and TikTok. Listen to ‘Two Hands‘ below and read more anniversary pieces like this one here.
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