How Strength Creates Tolerance
Lifte
Andrew Ritchot — who has been recording under the moniker Lifte over the past number of years — released his ostensibly “final solo album” in mid-August. Catalyzed by the harrowing trek through end-of-life caregiving, How Strength Creates Tolerance is a visceral and honest record of what it feels like to hope when the world is despairingly on fire.
The eight songs on HSCT could best be described as lo-fi alternative and, apart from the drum loops, all instruments were recorded by Ritchot (with only a few additional guitar parts contributed by some folks appearing on previous Lifte releases). Opening with the multi-textured, quick-hitting song “Al-ien-a-tion” — where lyrics are barely perceptible — even the title expresses the disintegration experienced by the artist, which sets the scene for what comes after. This includes the unhurried, synthy electro-rock “A Box on a Shelf” (featuring pitch-shifted vocals and more themes of breakdown); the expeditious, forceful and bleak “Nothing Worse Than Good;” the introspective “The Farthest Far” (which is somewhat reminiscent to me of Billy Corgan’s solo projects but with lower vocals); and the driving and figurative “Ten and Two” (featuring an even balance of spoken-word and sung lyrics).
As for the closing of the album, “Hospital Hallways” evocatively captures the fuzziness and confusion of sleep deprivation, “Sleeping Through Astrology” is a heartbreaking love song of repeated encouragements to a loved one, and the title track “How Strength Creates Tolerance” strikingly encapsulates the project with its deeply resonant heaviness coupled with competing ideas of struggle, perseverance, and futility.
Like the cover art, Lifte’s How Strength Creates Tolerance is beautiful but it burns. It’s a true testament to the joy and agony of existence, the latter being the result of the loss of the former. My condolences, AR, and thank you for sharing this profoundly personal collection of songs.
Mykhailo Vil’yamson
That’s a really interesting perspective on the connection between resilience and empathy. It makes a lot of sense how difficult experiences can shape a deeper understanding of others.