Salty Brine's "How Strange It Is" Captures Powerful Stage Voice

Salty Brine presented "How Strange It Is (The Neutral Milk Hotel Show)" at Summerhall in Edinburgh, a performance that intertwines his personal diaries with the story of Anne Frank. This cabaret artist, known for his "Living Record Collection" project, uses Neutral Milk Hotel's album "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" as a foundation to explore profound themes. These include religious traditions, the origins of the world, the migration of souls, and the adolescent passions experienced by both Anne Frank and Brine himself. The show's ambitious scope, drawing parallels between Brine's first love and Frank's tragic life, was noted by critics.

The review acknowledges the potential for poor taste in using a teenager's horrifying story for aesthetic effect. However, it defends Brine's approach by pointing out that the Neutral Milk Hotel album itself draws dreamlike inspiration from Frank's narrative, creating something deeply moving. The reviewer suggests that "How Strange It Is" achieves a similar effect, offering a "heady brew" of passion and force of will. Brine's performance is described as one of today's most powerful stage voices, capable of handling the challenging subject matter with conviction.

Brine's "Living Record Collection" project is dedicated to creating shows inspired by and featuring songs from beloved rock and pop albums. "How Strange It Is" is a prime example of this, using the Neutral Milk Hotel album as a launchpad for a multifaceted inquiry. The performance at Summerhall highlights Brine's ability to connect disparate elements – personal reflection, historical tragedy, and musical inspiration – into a cohesive and impactful theatrical experience. The show’s success lies in its ability to transform difficult subject matter into something artistically resonant, mirroring the way the source album itself interprets Anne Frank's story.

The review emphasizes Brine's "force of will" and the passionate nature of his performance, which are crucial in navigating the sensitive themes of the show. The intertwining of his diaries with Anne Frank's narrative is described as a "tough job," but one that Brine undertakes with considerable artistic merit. The overall impression is of a show that, despite its challenging premise, delivers a powerful emotional and intellectual experience for the audience, solidifying Brine's reputation as a significant contemporary performer.