Ripening (Ain't It Strange)

by Mike Pope

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Daniel Ezra Holy crap, this is one of the best records to ever come out of San Diego. It is a complete work - play it from start to finish. Favorite track: I'm Free.

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Bundle both of Mike Pope's latest releases on vinyl and save!

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Bundle both of Mike Pope's latest releases on vinyl and CD and save!

Includes unlimited streaming of Ripening (Ain't It Strange) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.	Ain't It Strange 02:42	buy track
2.	Homonculus 02:21	buy track
3.	I'm Free 02:26	buy track
4.	A Little Bit More 03:42	buy track
5.	Colleen 03:25	buy track
6.	Why Don't You Love Me (Like You Used To) 02:27	buy track
7.	I Looked High And Low 03:53	buy track
8.	My Spirit Orbits 05:20	buy track
9.	Every Loving Herd Does As It Should 04:08	buy track
10.	I'm Free 02:24	buy track
11.	Homonculus - Ain't It Strange 02:15	buy track

about

Ripening is the antithesis of Songs For People. Like Dylan going electric in ‘65, Mike Pope embraces a grittier poetic punk vision reminiscent of Joe Strummer's solo excursions.

While it holds the vocal delivery, lyrical craftsmanship and musicianship of his folkier side, Ripening turns electric and embraces a post punk, no-wave ethos. Think ‘77 Talking Heads and Stephen Malkemus, mixed with a touch of Mdou Moctar psychedelia.

The album was tracked live as a single performance and the band is exquisite in its pursuit of raw grandeur. Every song serpentines into the next, devouring the energy of the prior track and transforming it with the imagery of Pope’s storytelling.

Ripening is a noble and successful pursuit that exemplifies the fiery range Mike Pope is able to achieve with amplification and a raucous band firing on all cylinders.

Album artwork by Will Gaynor.

**ALL PRE-ORDERS COME WITH A FREE Blind Owl COMPILATION CD**
We're gifting you a CD laced with some exclusive tracks from Blind Owl greats like Mrs. Henry, Drug Hunt, and Puerto with every pre-order!

credits

released October 7, 2022

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about

Mike Pope San Diego, California

Shrouded in secrecy, Mike Pope continues to be the mythological folk apparition of a distant past. A past linked to tall tales, larger-than-life personalities, and an intrigue that had to be sought out to be discovered. For a decade plus, murmurings had been circling regarding this prodigious finger picker and lyrical raconteur in San Diego, CA. ... more

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