Get Fixed

Get Fixed

Get Fixed ripples with the visceral intensity and keen, unexpected melodicism for which Cursive has long been celebrated, as illustrated in searing first single “Barricades;” the alternately pummeling and anthemic “Black Hole Town;” and the more atmospheric, moody “Marigolds.” While the album was largely born out of the same sessions as Vitriola with founding drummer Clint Schnase, “Stranded Satellite” and “Black Hole Town” were recorded this year and feature touring drummer Pat Oakes.

“We’re quite proud of the work we’ve done on both Vitriola and Get Fixed,” explains singer/guitarist Tim Kasher in a letter describing the genesis of the new album. “In certain ways, they may forever be considered companion pieces, but Get Fixed feels as though it’s been emancipated from the Vitriola session: the extra care and attention it received has helped it develop an identity very much its own. These songs of anger, frustration, helplessness and loss feel more poignant to us now than even a year ago — we’re thrilled to finally introduce them to our world.”

Big Scary Monsters, the record label that released the UK Pressings for Get Fixed, write:

“Having come back with the awesome Vitriola in 2017, indie veterans Cursive are back with their new album – Get Fixed. Against the background of our ever-changing and frustrating times, the new record comes off the back of the Vitriola sessions; a result of the band’s relentless songwriting capabilities and their ever-growing disillusionment with the world.

Featuring 11 tracks of righteous fury and anger, it sees the band carry on the fine form shown on the previous record creating a collection of incredible songs that give the new album an identity all of its own”.

You can read Tim Kasher’s letter in full discussing Get Fixed here below:

Hi there!

I hope this finds you in good comfort. Get Fixed is a unique album for Cursive, so we thought it best if I explained its inception to you directly.

I don’t know what’s been going on with me these last few years, but I’ve been writing a lot of music. More than I usually write, which — I suppose — is generally considered ‘a lot’…That damn Midwestern work ethic rearing its bossy head. Cursive had not been collaborating for over half a decade, leaving me with one hell of an itch to scratch. And once we reunited with our original drummer, Clint Schnase, well, I guess I was feeling inspired.

Also, sure, the absolutely fucking bonkers fist fuck this world has been getting with its pathetic, greedy rise of nationalism; yeah, that’s been driving me to put pen to paper as well. You feel like you’re getting pushed around, you want to push back. Not that we’re driven solely by political frustrations, not in the least. But as to the excess of songs as of late? Current events have certainly left their grimy fingerprints on some of the music we’ve written these last few years.

All of this to say that as Cursive was writing last year’s album, Vitriola, there were a lot of songs to contend with. A LOT. Songs worked out in the practice space, songs worked out in the studio, and too many songs filling up my voice memo app to even get a chance to introduce to the band. We had a lot of squabbles over what should make it onto Vitriola, with too many songs lending too much indecision. And we became increasingly more insistent that it could not be a double album: we wanted to give these songs the best possible chance to be comprehended by the listener, and fear double albums can dump too many ideas onto a person’s lap all at once. Even unleashing one normal length album onto our new hyper-scroll-culture can be daunting. Too many songs.

So, we separated the songs into two separate albums, placing some of our favorite songs on what would become known as Get Fixed, and maintaining a balanced blend of mood and intent on both (incidentally, Vitriola was dubbed Get Fixed before we separated these songs, which left the titular track poised for later release). With a year in between these two releases, we were able to go back into the studio (this time with Pat Oakes, our lifelong best bud and touring drummer) to finally record some of those other songs that didn’t get a chance to be introduced the first time around. Being granted the opportunity to spend more time with this record makes it feel even stronger (to us, at the very least).

We’re quite proud of the work we’ve done on both Vitriola and Get Fixed. In certain ways, they may forever be considered companion pieces, but Get Fixed feels as though it’s been emancipated from the Vitriola session: the extra care and attention it received has helped it develop an identity very much its own. These songs of anger, frustration, helplessness and loss feel more poignant to us now than even a year ago — we’re thrilled to finally introduce them to our world.

Only my best,

Tim Kasher

Get Fixed was produced by Mike Mogis and Cursive.

Cursive headed back out on the road mid October 2019 for a run of dates supporting Against Me! as well as two headline shows in Philadelphia, PA, and Brooklyn, NY (sold out). In November, the band embarked on a month-long headline tour throughout the southeast and southwest with Cloud Nothings supporting.

---

*Content Conman was first made available as a Flexi 7″ that came with Issue #43 of “New Noise Magazine” and later also on the “Let’s just do it and be legends” compilation of the Big Scary Monsters label.

Get Fixed album info:

All songs written by Cursive.

Tim Kasher – Vocals, Guitar
Matt Maginn – Bass
Ted Stevens – Guitar, Vocals
Clint Schnase – Drums (1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11)
Pat Oakes – Drums (4, 7)
Megan Siebe – Cello (3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11)
Patrick Newbery – Horns, Keys, Synths, Programming (5), String Arrangements (3,5,11)
Mike Mogis – Additional Instrumentation

Recorded at ARC in Omaha, NE, Feb 2018 and May 2019
Recorded and Engineered by Mike Mogis
Mixed at ARC by Mike Mogis, June 2018 and July 2019
Produced by Mike Mogis and Cursive
Mastered by Ed Brooks
Mastered at Resonant Mastering, September 2019
Cover Artwork by Meghan Stevens
Design by Meghan Stevens, Ted Stevens, Tim Kasher and Matt Maginn

The surprise release came right after four official lyrics videos were posted by the band on their social media: Barricades, Black Hole Town, Marigolds and Stranded Satellite. This last video was posted on 1 October 2019 and in the post the new “Get Fixed” album was announced. One more video, I am Goddamn, was released soon after the digital album version became available.

Barricades – Official video

Black Hole Town – Official video

Marigolds – Official video

Stranded Sattelites – Official video

I am Goddamn – Official video