ALBUM REVIEW: Selwyn Birchwood Handles Florida Man and Other Demons on ‘Exorcist’
Grant Britt
Posted On June 7, 2023
Selwyn Birchwood’s latest release wouldn’t meet with approval from the Florida chamber of commerce. “Florida Man,” from the Orlando, Florida, native’s latest, Exorcist, features many Florida denizens who apparently have more than a viewing familiarity with the TV show COPS. They’re Sunshine State perps snatched from the pages of News of the World or The National Enquirer.
According to Birchwood, Florida Man is liable to take a gator along for beer runs, shoot guns at hurricanes, and get high on bath salts and eat your face in a land where “The Wild West meets the Dirty South.”
But the good news is the demons Birchwood is exorcising here are of the romantic persuasion, pertaining to matters of the heart, not lurking in the swamp to jump out and getcha. “What manner of sorcery got me loving you while you abusing me?” he asks his demon lover on the title track. “I must be possessed.”
You can hear Birchwood’s infatuation with Hendrix on that song as he exorcises his demoness in a Hill Country framework while he soars, Hendrix-like, above.
“Horns Below Her Halo” continues the narrative concerning Birchwood’s devil woman problems.
“I think Satan must be a woman,” he muses. “That’s why they call him Lucif-her,” he intones as his guitar soars heavenward over a swampy backdrop.
Despite all the female goblins nibbling at him, Birchwood still has faith in achieving some solace in matters of the heart, blasting along Buddy Guy-style on “Hopeless Romantic,” hoping for change but still hanging on: “I’m too in love to leave / too damn hurt to stay.”
Birchwood is a powerful singer and a ferocious guitarist, channeling the Kings with traces of Albert and Freddie’s fiery string pulling, as well as being influenced by Albert Collins’ frosty style and the bombast of Guy and Hendrix. He blends it all together smoothly, but his attack is as raw and aggressive as the Florida men he chronicles. The devil may be giving him a hard time, but it sure is an interesting battle to watch.
Selwyn Birchwood’s Exorcist is out June 9 on Alligator Records.
