The Airborne Toxic Event: Hollywood Park

It is a long-standing tradition for artists to channel personal struggles and pain into the music they create. In the case of TATE leader Mikel Jollett, Hollywood Park represents the traumatic childhood he lived and finally escaped. To call it a childhood is a bit unfair. Trapped for years in a cult and subject to child abuses which would leave anyone scarred beyond recognition, his is a story of suffering and hope and escape. Who ever really escapes, though? This album is filled with stories of addiction and war and prison and the longing to be free of their trappings. This record should be listened to from start to finish to be fully appreciated. TATE has never really tasted significant commercial success and I am not sure this album will change that, but it certainly should. Mikel wrote an autobiography around which these songs serve as a loose soundtrack. Now we just need a full documentary to compete the trilogy. I feel sorry for Mikel and all he went through, but I am glad to see he is making his escape. 🌟🌟🌟🌟