But first the notion that man has a body distinct from his soul is to be expunged; this I shall do by printing in the infernal method, by corrosives, which in Hell are salutary and medicinal, melting apparent surfaces away, and displaying the infinite which was hid. If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. For man has closed himself up till he sees all things thro’ narrow chinks of his cavern. — William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790 – 1793)

When we cease seeking answers in the outer realm and swivel our lizard-like existential eyes one hundred eighty degrees, we glimpse only slivers of our soul through slits in the sheetrock that separates self-perception from self-actualization. One may spend decades in analysis — professional or whatever is derived from the other drunks at the bar — without accomplishing more than the dilation of a few openings and the painful puncturing of one’s own fingers with a poorly-aimed awl.

Dog Contest’s ‘Big Talkin’ Man’ is a pasted-together pastiche of vignettes, each verse a seconds-long view of the world that exists beyond the drywall. Our narrator is the Big Talkin’ Man in question, attempting to edit the collection of clips into a coherent incarnation while keeping the demons that ooze outward through cracks in the veneer held at bay with a combination of nonsense and volume.

went up the stairs that shout at my soul
to hear the gunshots in my head
now mother liberty’s tired and pregnant
fresh off of uncle sam…

too proud to see i can’t fail
you know that my mind is free
change is harder than just show and tell
we have to make believe…

and what i am is what i am
a big talkin’ man is what i am…

‘Big Talkin’ Man’ is a great, fun blast of rock, blues, country, and maybe a dollop of punk. The guitars have just enough twang and a soulful organ swirls through the background. The track sounds good; thumbs up to the production crew. The singer may be deranged.

Based in Nashville, Dog Contest comprises Cody Clayton (electric guitar, keyboards), Marshall Bolton (drums), Micheal Herrel (bass), and Kevin Wood (acoustic guitar, vocals). The band self-describes as a long-winded explanation for why people care too much about all the wrong things. ‘Big Talkin’ Man’ appears on their debut album, The Greatest Hits Anthology. The album was produced by Chance Cook and Pete Mulcahy, Jr., and was mixed and mastered by Pete Mulcahy, Jr.

The Greatest Hits Anthology is an impressive fifteen-song collection; here’s another fine track, ‘Taking Down My Ego.’

Dog Contest’s music is available on Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music. And be sure to follow Dog Contest on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.