I Challenge the Beast

by Gurf Morlix

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$10 USD or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
I CHALLENGE THE BEAST Gurf Morlix
All songs written by Gurf Morlix (Crankbait Music/SESAC) www.GurfMorlix.com
Performed, produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Gurf Morlix at Rootball Studio, Austin TX

I Challenge the Beast is a collection of 9 songs that could only have come from Gurf Morlix. He has been called ‘the Edgar Allen Poe of Americana music’ (Alan Cackett) and though you won’t find any ghosts in these musical stories, there is plenty of the dark, brooding poetry that characterizes both writers. And yet----we still listen. Because the lyrics are not only captivating but relevant, the voice is mesmerizing, the instrumentation both innovative and provocative. His inspiration may be found in the lyrics “It’s passion and hunger that feeds my soul” (Beautiful Crazy World) and “I’m colder than steel, but my heart is true,” (The Beast.)

Morlix has a way of writing songs that are both personal and universal. The opening track, Heart, explores varied manifestations of the heart, from the one broken by a lover to a “heart on the spit over the coals” to the heart in the ICU. The title track, The Beast, speaks of a battle, perhaps with addiction, but this song also telescopes out to encompass any inner struggle a person might face. Perhaps the most beautiful track is Beautiful Crazy World, a bittersweet ballad that feels like a lullaby- “Livin’ till you die, is all part of this beautiful crazy world…” Coil of Barbed Wire is the comic relief of the album with the refrain “Love is as delicate as a coil of barbed wire.” We get a history lesson in the true story of Miss Nellie’s Place, which starts out as an upbeat dance tune, but ends in tragedy. World on Fire expresses what so many feel today, as literal flames of wildfire, war, and climate change, and intangible ones of socio-political conflict threaten “everything that matters….”

Throughout the album are beautiful vocal harmonies, and they are all Gurf. Indeed, the album is all Gurf. No need for credits, as he performed every instrument and vocal. He also engineered, mixed and mastered every song at his own Rootball Studio in Austin.

Includes unlimited streaming of I Challenge the Beast via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. ... more

ships out within 3 days

$20 USD or more

1.	Heart 04:26	info	buy track
2.	Miss Nellie's Place 05:34	info	buy track
3.	The Beast 06:25	info	buy track
4.	Beautiful Crazy World 04:26	info	buy track
5.	Coil of Barbed Wire 05:13	info	buy track
6.	World On Fire 05:13	info	buy track
7.	Make It Home 04:18	info	buy track
8.	I Wanna Come Home 05:28	info	buy track
9.	Well Well Well 07:11	info	buy track

about

I CHALLENGE THE BEAST Gurf Morlix
All songs written by Gurf Morlix (Crankbait Music/SESAC) www.GurfMorlix.com
Performed, produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Gurf Morlix at Rootball Studio, Austin TX

I Challenge the Beast is a collection of 9 songs that could only have come from Gurf Morlix. He has been called ‘the Edgar Allen Poe of Americana music’ (Alan Cackett) and though you won’t find any ghosts in these musical stories, there is plenty of the dark, brooding poetry that characterizes both writers. And yet----we still listen. Because the lyrics are not only captivating but relevant, the voice is mesmerizing, the instrumentation both innovative and provocative. His inspiration may be found in the lyrics “It’s passion and hunger that feeds my soul” (Beautiful Crazy World) and “I’m colder than steel, but my heart is true,” (The Beast.)

Morlix has a way of writing songs that are both personal and universal. The opening track, Heart, explores varied manifestations of the heart, from the one broken by a lover to a “heart on the spit over the coals” to the heart in the ICU. The title track, The Beast, speaks of a battle, perhaps with addiction, but this song also telescopes out to encompass any inner struggle a person might face. Perhaps the most beautiful track is Beautiful Crazy World, a bittersweet ballad that feels like a lullaby- “Livin’ till you die, is all part of this beautiful crazy world…” Coil of Barbed Wire is the comic relief of the album with the refrain “Love is as delicate as a coil of barbed wire.” We get a history lesson in the true story of Miss Nellie’s Place, which starts out as an upbeat dance tune, but ends in tragedy. World on Fire expresses what so many feel today, as literal flames of wildfire, war, and climate change, and intangible ones of socio-political conflict threaten “everything that matters….”

Throughout the album are beautiful vocal harmonies, and they are all Gurf. Indeed, the album is all Gurf. No need for credits, as he performed every instrument and vocal. He also engineered, mixed and mastered every song at his own Rootball Studio in Austin.

credits

released April 1, 2023

All songs written by Gurf Morlix (Crankbait Music/SESAC)

Performed, produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Gurf Morlix at Rootball Studio, Austin TX

www.GurfMorlix.com

license

about

Gurf Morlix Austin, Texas

Gurf Morlix has been inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, the Austin Music Hall of Fame and was named Instrumentalist of the Year by the Americana Association. He has produced records for many Americana icons such as Lucinda Williams, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Mary Gauthier, Slaid Cleaves, Robert Earl Keen and more. He has produced 15 solo albums which have received global critical acclaim. ... more

contact / help

Contact Gurf Morlix

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Gurf Morlix, you may also like:

Bloody Noses EP
by Richard Thompson

supported by 15 fans who also own “I Challenge the Beast”

John Drumbo French from Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band worked with Thompson on two albums along with Fred Frith and Henry Kaiser. Those two French, Frith, Kaiser and Thompson albums led me to this. Also, Richard Thompson taught Hugh Cornwell (of The Stranglers) how to play the bass guitar in a band when they were both at the same school (Emil and The Detectives?). With a career spanning 50 years and playing with two of my heroes (French and Cornwell) Thompson has produced a fascinating EP. yellowcakeuf6
go to album
Serpent's Tears
by Richard Thompson

supported by 15 fans who also own “I Challenge the Beast”

There's a similarity in song writing between Richard Thompson and Hugh Cornwell which maybe isn't surprising as they went to the same school at the same time, although Thompson is older. Due to Thompson's association with John French of Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band I searched for his work on the Bandcamp app. French, Thompson and Cornwell all have albums on the app which I'm very pleased about. Only Thompson has released contemporary albums, much to his credit. yellowcakeuf6
go to album
Live From London
by Richard Thompson

supported by 14 fans who also own “I Challenge the Beast”

Guitarist and songwriter extraordinaire. Once heard, never forgotten. edhanel
go to album
Room 41
by Paul Cauthen

Cauthen's mix of classic country and old-school soul come together on this album about coming back from the brink. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 2, 2019
go to album
New Album Out Now: Spirals
by Kate Ellis

Kate Ellis uses melancholy Americana to conduct fearless soul searching. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 3, 2022
go to album
Listening To The Music
by Zephaniah OHora

Irresistible classic country music abounds on “Listening To The Music,” full of lap steel, walking bass, and heartwarming melodies. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 5, 2020
go to album
Blonde On The Tracks
by Emma Swift

supported by 10 fans who also own “I Challenge the Beast”

Gonzo. Passion. The Ming Vase. Haunting and beautiful. Every listen brings a new favorite. Do something like this again, Miss Emma. Please let the answer be yes. Please let the answer be yes! alien9
go to album