29 December 2019

Carpenters "The Singles 1969-1973" (1973)

The Singles 1969-1973 (compilation)
release date: Nov. 9, 1973
format: vinyl (1991 reissue) / cd (2014 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Richard Carpenter
label: A&M Records - nationality: USA

Compilation of 12 singles by the brother-sister duo The Carpenters - older sister Karen (1950-83) and Richard (born 1946) - over a four year period is an amazing quality collection of baroque pop hit songs.
I vividly recall listening to The Carpenters in my pre-teen years. They were among the most frequently played international artists on national radio alongside Sinatra, The Beatles, and Elvis Presley. I didn't know of any of their full albums but many of these songs were part of a preferred musical selection from very early on, and I just listening to Karen's singing voice makes me remember the house of my childhood.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

Not this particular album as such, but the Carpenters plays a big part of my earliest music memories that wasn't purely children's songs.
👉 Another one from that earliest stage.


~ ~ ~
This post is part of MyMusicJourney, which enlists key releases that have shaped my musical taste when growing up and until age 14. Most of these releases come from my parents' and / or my older brother's collection.

28 December 2019

Tindersticks "No Treasure but Hope" (2019)

die-cut vinyl cover
No Treasure but Hope
release date: Nov. 15, 2019
format: vinyl (LTD. die-cut clear vinyl) / digital (10 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,85]
producer: Stuart A. Staples
label: Lucky Dog / City Slang - nationality: England, UK


12th studio album by Tindersticks released nearly four years following the fine The Waiting Room (Jan. 2016), and like that, this one is produced by lead vocalist and main composer Stuart A. Staples. Since 2016 the band has released the live-album Philharmonie de Paris (Feb. 2016) and the soundtrack Minute Bodies - The Intimate World of F. Percy Smith (2017) [a documentary by Staples] in collaboration with the two French musicians, percusionist Thomas Belhom, and pianist and composer Christine Ott. Apart from that, Staples also released his second solo album Arrhythmia (2018) and he also recorded another soundtrack for a Claire Denis' film, High Life (Apr. 2019) - which shows that neither band nor Staples has been on a long break.
The current Tindersticks-quintet, consisting of Stuart Staples, guitarist Neil Fraser, bassist Dan McKinna, multi-instrumentalist David Boulter, and percussionist Earl Harvin all continue where they left us in 2016 with a hardly noticeable change of style with compositions reflecting a bolder use of strings as well as being slightly less jazz-oriented. By doing so, the album places itself at the centre of the most recent four studio albums by Tindersticks - meaning albums released from 2010 to 2016. The single tracks on this could virtually have been handpicked and replaced on any of the arbitrary four albums without disturbing a sense of coherency. Instead of a recording applying state-of-the-art multi-layered production method, the band instead recorded these songs live in the studio. And keeping that information in mind, this collection only appear even stronger, perhaps more vivid. There's still a maintained variation from song to song, but the end result is that of a tight and quite narrrow expression. It may not be the band's most daring nor their most original album, but in a way you could argue it sort of sums up all the qualities they have come up with in recent years: by creating their very own aesthetic of beauty within a strong chamber pop soundscape with a noticeable influence and inspiration from the world of jazz - utilising old-fashioned recording methods - ultimately ensures they don't sound like any other band around.
Cover and artwork are here credited Staples and his wife Suzanne Osborne.
No Treasure but Hope is yet another quality release by Tindersticks.
Highly recommended.
[ 👍allmusic.com, The Guardian 4 / 5, Gaffa.dk 5 / 6 stars ]


digital cover

21 December 2019

Veronica Maggio "Fiender Àr trÄkigt" (2019)

Fiender Àr trÄkigt

release date: Oct. 25, 2019
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,77]
producer: Simon Hassle; Agrin Rahmani
label: Universal Music - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 1. "Kurt Cobain" - 3. "TillfÀlligheter" (live - akustisk live) - 4. "Jag kastar bort mitt liv" (4 / 5) - 6. "Fiender Àr trÄkigt" - 9. "5 minuter"

6th studio album release by Swedish Veronica Maggio following nearly 3½ years after the fine Den första Ă€r alltid gratis (May 2016). The first five tracks from the album saw an early pre-release in the form of an ep in Jun. 2019 and four months later the full album was released adding the five final tracks to a release with same title and cover as the ep. This time, Maggio has written nine of the album's ten tracks in colaboration with former Kent lead vocalist Joakim Berg and producer Simon Hassle, and it has definitely rubbed off on the songs. Agrin Rahmani contributes as co-composer on four songs.
Stylistically, the album doesn't offer the huge changes to Maggio's musical universe. As usual, the songs revolve around relationships and the entanglements in what appears as her own social life. Perhaps you'll notice a touch more lightness in the songs compared to earlier ones, but otherwise the album sounds much like the continuation of Den första Àr alltid gratis. Musically, there is now room for tracks with a simpler synthpop sound that suits the lyrical aspect.
The album is her fourth consecutive since Satan i gatan from 2011 going all the way to the top of the chart in Sweden. As on her 2016 album, some tracks have a slightly uptempo dance pop feel, but otherwise, the impression is that it's now more clean pop-founded than outright electropop Ă  la Robyn.
Three singles have been released from the album - the first single "Kurt Kobain" and later "TillfÀlligheter", both of which peaked as number #4 on the national singles chart. The third and final single is "5 minuter" peaking at No. #7 on the same list. In this way, all of Maggio's singles from the same album have found their way into the top-10 singles list, but she has not had a top-1 single hit since "Jag kommer" from 2011. Despite three excellent tracks as singles, it's nevertheless my impression that the clearly best song is track #4, "Jag kastar bort mitt liv", which has a clear uptempo and simple synthpop quality, which with clear persuasion tells us that Joakim Berg, from the (unfortunately) defunct band Kent, is present as songwriter and perhaps also co-composer, as he is credited on several other of the album's songs - the most apparent link to the music and sound by Kent is probably heard on "Jag kaster bort mitt liv".
Overall, this new collection is once again among Maggio's better albums. It sits somewhere in between absolutely banging with something keeping it from full blossom; but this IS also the story of Maggio, who just seems to be almost there in making that truly exceptional album that really hits the mark - that great coherent release without fillers. That said, the album is well above average and compared to her previous releases, it's more than on par with the predecessor, and it's still only her 2011 album that performed better. Maggio has her very own melancholic and fragile vocal that both signals energetic rebellion in small dozes and gentle dewy-eyed sweetness, and when you realise she hasn't made the album of the decade, once again, it's still a pleasant experience listening once more to Swedish-Italian pop of high standard. Imho, this is Maggio's second best album to date.
Recommended.
[ Aftonbladet 3 / 5, Expressen.se (ep review) 4 / 5 stars ] - both in Swedish

19 December 2019

Hans Philip "Forevigt" (2019)

Forevigt [debut]
release date: Mar. 17, 2019
format: vinyl / digital (9 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,94]
producer: Hans Philip
label: Copenhagen Records - nationality: Denmark


Solo studio album debut by Hans Philip, former vocalist and songwriter of Ukendt Kunstner. Hans Philip has composed all lyrics - and composed the songs with various musical collaborators, including Tais Stausholm (also credited for guitar, bass and piano on several songs), Andreas Murga (also credited as bassist and guitarist on two tracks), and a bunch of others. Musically, it's both far and close to what Ukendt Kunstner stood for. The production sound follows closely the sound of McCoy, but this is much slower and way more introvert and emotional, and instead of rap this is inner-felt singing.
Hans Philip wasn't quite ready to end the duo-project, but as everyone knows, it takes two to tango, and Jens Ole McCoy wanted out, which then put an end to their common project. McCoy is not part of this, although, his musical legacy lives on in the compositions. It's the wide spacious ranges of the compositions that may leave you with the idea that they have McCoy's fingerprints all over.
The album has been anticipated for quite some time after what seemed like the most surprising and untimely end to one of the most successful Danish acts. Ukendt Kunstner ended their short-lived career in 2016 after two acclaimed albums and what appeared to be an endless series of nominations, awards and sold-out concerts on a national scale. Apparently, the overwhelming success had been more than the two had set out for, and the other side of the coin was too scary to hold on to - for McCoy, and here Philip cleverly has put some of his frustrations into words - whether it's "simple" confusion regarding what was wrong about a highly successful career, or whether it's his general frustrations about other things in life. It's all extremely smooth and quality-minded, and despite being an almost minimalist type of expression, it's really one of the best Danish albums of 2019.
Highly recommended.
[ Gaffa.dk 6 / 6, Soundvenue, Politiken 5 / 6 stars ]

17 December 2019

Mark Kozelek & Desertshore "Mark Kozelek & Desertshore" (2013)

Mark Kozelek & Desertshore

release date: Aug. 20, 2013
format: digital (10 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]
producer: Desertshore, Mark Kozelek
label: Caldo Verde Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Mariette" - 2. "Livingstone Bramble" - 4. "Katowice or Cologne" - 5. "Seal Rock Hotel" - 6. "Tavoris Cloud" - 7. "You Are Not of My Blood" - 8. "Sometimes I Can't Stop" - 9. "Don't Ask About My Husband"

Collaboration album by Mark Kozelek and instrumental duo Desertshore consisting of guitarist Phil Carney (also of Sun Kil Moon and former guitarist of Red House Painters) and pianist Chris Connolly. Here the three are assisted by drummer Mike Stevens, who also played drums on Among the Leaves (2012) by Sun Kil Moon. Kozelek previously produced Desertshore's debut album Drifting Your Majesty (2010) and the follower Drawing of Threes (2011) on which he also contributes with lyrics and vocals on six songs, but this is their first official collaboration release. The album release follows another collaboration release Perils From the Sea, (Apr. 2013) by Kozelek and Jimmy LaValle, which again follows Kozelek's solo covers album Like Rats (Feb. 2013).
Musically, it doesn't fall far from Kozelek's regular repertoire. It's primarily alt. folk, indie folk with hints of americana, but the music here is composed by Desertshore and Kozelek "only" contributes with lyrics, vocals, bass and additional guitar... It is however, a more uplifting musical journey by these three friends. On solo albums, Kozelek sometimes indulges himself in extremely scarce arrangements but here there's a fine ever-present accompanying melody running along and even electric guitar, which to my regret seems almost abandoned by Kozelek. In my mind this is one of Kozelek's finest albums in years and it bonds nicely with albums by Red House Painters and the first albums by Sun Kil Moon.
It's a fine and most welcome addition to the expansive Kozelek collection.
[ 👍allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

08 December 2019

James Blake "Assume Form" (2019)

Assume Form
release date: Jan. 18, 2019
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,65]
producer: James Blake, Dominic Maker
label: Polydor Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Assume Form" (4 / 5) - 2. "Mile High" (feat. Metro Boomin & Travis Scott) - 5. "Barefoot in the Park" (feat. Rosalía) - 6. "Can't Believe the Way We Flow" - 8. "Where's the Catch?" (feat. André 3000) - 9. "I'll Come Too" (4 / 5)

4th studio album by British electronic artist James Blake takes on a new style by incorporating rap on top of his explorations into alt. r&b, art pop and ambient pop. The album consists of 12 tracks with an average playing time from 3-5 minutes and a total running time at just over 48 mins.
The album has [already] been met by critical acclaim, and I do think of it as his easily far best album. Normally, rap is not a genre I turn to, and frankly, most often simply avoid, however, this offers a different approach [than 'the Drake, the West, the Wayne and the-what-have-we-that-sounds-the-same-kind-of-boring-contemporary-rap-thing'] with an obvious more trap rap style but also in a liquid combination with Blake's usual electronic approach makes it something other than "just" [contemporary] rap. It's also alt. r&b and neo-soul taken into a mild ambient synthpop kind of sound that just works altogether as something quite extraordinary. It's such a warm and pleasant soundscape.
Assume Form is not only Blake's best effort, it's also one of the best albums of 2019 and as such highly recommendable.
EDIT Dec. 2019:
The album started out as my absolute favourite of the year back in Jan. '19, and passing through Spring and Summer it remained at the top. Then a couple of things happened: the album began to wear, and a couple of other releases kept pushing on. Assume Form is a mighty fine and mostly coherent album - what I discovered though, is a sensation of it being too polished - 'over-produced' is a word that keeps popping up. It still remains one of the albums I have played the most throughout the year, but others keep it from the absolute top, and over time, it just doesn't feel that impressive.
Recommended.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, 👍The Guardian 4 / 5, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, NME 5 / 5 stars ]

06 December 2019

TrentemĂžller "Obverse" (2019)

Obverse
release date: Sep. 27, 2019
format: digital (10 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Anders TrentemĂžller
label: In My Room - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 2. "Church of Trees" - 3. "In the Garden" (feat. Lina Tullgren) - 4. "Foggy Figures" - 5. "Blue September" (feat. Lisbet Fritze) - 7. "One Last Kiss to Remember" (feat. Lisbet Fritze) - 9. "Try a Little" (feat. JennyLee)

5th studio album by TrentemĂžller as follow-up to Fixion (Sep. 2016) follows the near usual three years interval in between releases, and Obverse both stays somewhat on the same track and yet is its very own displaying a newfound inspiration in shoegaze and indietronica with pure instrumental compositions pointing back to ambient and minimal house and with vocal-based songs with lyrics by the featuring guest artists, and which embrace a more danceable touch in a courtship with alt. rock and darkwave without the lighter pop tones and the darker rock-influences become opposites.
The album appears as a more coherent whole than its predecessor, which seemed more divided into pure instrumental parts and, on the other hand, compositions with supporting vocals, as two opposing expressions with progressively minimal house and parts of pumping indietronica. In a way, Obverse stands as a fine extension to his second album from 2010: Into the Great Wide Yonder. Unlike Lost (Sep. 2013) and Fixion, this new outing as a whole, is a more of a muted kind with all songs in better harmony without sounding as counterpoints to other motions on the same album. The vocal-based tracks are not pure indietronica where song and melody dominate, but these are more of an unfolding-in-graceful union of instrumental ideas mixed with something reminiscent of Mazzy Star (Hope Sandoval) inspiration, e.g. on the two Lisbet Fritze tracks: "Blue September" and "One Last Kiss to Remember" - which is the album's darkwave uptempo track (I'm instantly thinking Pornography by The Cure ) - and perhaps the most obvious dream pop / shoegaze feature is "In the Garden" with Lina Tullgren. The album doesn't contain obvious hits like "River in Me" or "Complicated" - here it's the mood of the album itself that steers the direction, and in that way Obverse ultimately stands as one of TrentemĂžller's better ones.
[ 👍allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, Gaffa.dk 5 / 6 stars ]

05 December 2019

Mark Kozelek & Jimmy LaValle "Perils From the Sea" (2013)

Perils From the Sea

release date: Apr. 20, 2013
format: digital (11 x File, MP3)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Jimmy LaValle & Mark Kozelek
label: Caldo Verde Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "What Happened to My Brother" - 3. "Gustavo" - 4. "Baby in Death Can I Rest Next to Your Grave" - 5. "Ceiling Gazing" - 6. "You Missed My Heart" - 9. "By the Time That I Awoke"

Collaboration project by Mark Kozelek and electronic multi-instrumentalist Jimmy LaValle (aka The Album Leaf) with music exclusively by LaValle and lyrics and vocals by Kozelek. It's quite lengthy with its eleven compositions running for nearly 78 mins. The album follows only two months after Kozelek's solo covers album Like Rats.
Stylistically, it's probably the album with Mark Kozelek that has come the farthest away from any of his other releases - be it with Red House Painters, as Sun Kil Moon or as soloist always in the neighbourhood of alt. folk and indie rock. This is electronic but with a clear alt. indie feel or a dimension of singer / songwriter to it. Kozelek's vocal is certainly not the most varied nor the sonic representation with the widest register. In fact, that's perhaps exactly what LaVille likes about Kozelek's expressive vocal: a narrow outcome - like the register of a specific instrument - controllable tones, on which you can add layers of instruments. It's not strongly electronic but LaValle builds soft synthpop layers of spacious melody to a narrating Kozelek, and the result is by no means a generic album. It's a nice and subtle collection of uplifting gentleness.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

03 December 2019

Best of 2019:
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds "Ghosteen" (2019)

Ghosteen
release date: Oct. 3, 2019
format: digital (11 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,08]
producer: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
label: Ghosteen Ltd. - nationality: Australia

Track highlights: 1. "Spinning Song" - 2. "Bright Horses" - 3. "Waiting for You" (4 / 5) - 6. "Galleon Ship" - 7. "Ghosteen Speaks" (4 / 5) - 9. "Ghosteen" - 11. "Hollywood"

17th studio album by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds as the follow-up to the 3-year-old emotional Skeleton Tree (Sep. 2016). The album is the first to be solely credited exclusively Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, and the album has been released in all formats on the band-owned label at the time, Ghosteen Ltd. As a vinyl and CD release, the album comes as a double album consisting of eleven tracks with a total playing time of more than 68 minutes, and the album's first eight tracks - occupying the vinyl sides A+B / CD 1 - are collectively named "The Children" while the last three have been given the designation "The Parents".
Stylistically, it's much like the sequel to the 2016 album, which was seen by most as Cave's response to the recent loss of his 15-year-old son, but as Cave himself later explained, the majority of the songs had already been written when the tragedy struck, and the album's depressed mood can only be attributed to the personal tragedy and grief he and the band found themselves in during the recording sessions. On Ghosteen, the starting point of the songs is on the other hand deeply rooted in the emotions the loss gave rise to, and the album is designed as a universal reaction to the experience of grief and loss, with the poetic expression perhaps taking up more room - asking for more attention - than the music itself. It's not a collection of songs with traditional rhythm structures, but an album that via its style without percussion and drums and instead soaked in string harmonies, spheric piano and keyboard in many ways approaches a pure ambient release.
The album was released almost exclusively to overwhelmingly positive reviews and good rankings on albums charts worldwide, e.g. a No. #2 in Australia, No. #4 in the UK (No. #1 on the independent charts) and No. #12 on the US Top Rock Albums chart. It's a near impossible task to point out the best tracks on an album that is such an overall experience. Ghosteen should be listened to from start to finish, and in the listening process you may try to absorb the musical sensation in approximately the same way as you breathe. It's a very emotional release that contains both touching beauty and deep pain, which is made for meditative moments more than popular-musical entertainment. It does what it's meant to do, to facilitate emotions and support deep sadness, and it most probably works magnificently as spiritual background music. It contains lots of beauty but it's nevertheless also enormously heavy and one-dimensionally sad and as such not made for much else. But then, art itself doesn't need to be multi-purposeful.
My biggest recommendation for grief processing and just overall a big recommendation of Cave's perhaps finest and most delicate output.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 4,5 / 5 NME 5 / 5 stars ]

2019 Favourite releases: 1. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Ghosteen - 2. The Cranberries In the End - 3. Rammstein Rammstein

02 December 2019

David McAlmont "A Little Communication" (1998)

A Little Communication
release date: Oct. 12, 1998
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,85]
producer: Tommy D
label: Hut Recordings - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 2. "A Little Communication" - 4. "Honey" - 5. "Who Loves You?" - 6. "The Train" - 7. "Love & Madness" - 8. "It's Enough" - 9. "Sorry"

2nd solo album by David McAlmont released four years following his fine debut album McAlmont - here produced by Tommy D (aka Tom Asher Danvers). Since the debut, McAlmont released the acclaimed McAlmont & Butler collaboration album The Sound of... McAlmont & Butler (1995), which may have influenced McAlmont to record an album of slower and more jazz-influenced material than one will find on his dance-pop debut. This is quite different from his first solo release, and if he hadn't made the album with Bernard Butler, many would find it hard to tell this is the same guy, who gave us uptempo pop-songs like "Either" and "It's Always This Way".
Stylistically, it's slow pop soul ballads with a strong vocal jazz tone, and the songs are almost the opposite of the multi-layered compositions you'll associate with his first album out but which also characterises his McAlmont & Butler collaboration material.
As was the case with the debut where McAlmont worked with Saul Freeman, McAlmont has written the songs in collaboration with various musical composers featuring especially Graham Kearns who is co-writer on four songs and who plays guitar on three compositions. Gary Clark and Peter Gordeno are both credited for musical score on two songs each, and also Guy Davies contributes as composer of one song and is credited as keyboardist on half of the album's ten tracks. Aside from producing the album, Tommy D is credited for keyboards and programming as well as for mixing an album, which shows us a new side to McAlmont's talent. I remember listening to the album at a local record store back in '98 or '99 and my rejection of the album as I found it too soft and for lyrically displaying too much Christian appraisal - in other words, my preconception stood so much in the way that I just couldn't appreciate it for what it is... Another decade later I returned to the album after having heard his fine 2005 album, and I was surprised how I could have rejected it then.
The album is a very delicate but beautiful collection of slow ballad-like pop soul and modern vocal-jazz compositions that once again demonstrate what a gifted vocalist, David McAlmont truly is. It's also an album where the highs are more than ordinarily hard to pin out 'cause McAlmont shines here, there - practically all over the album. To me, this outshines both of his collaboration albums with Bernard Butler (the second followed this album in 2002) but unfortunately, it's nearly an unknown release to the public.
Highly recommendable.

28 November 2019

Efterklang "Altid sammen" (2019)

Altid sammen

release date: Sep. 20, 2019
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,52]
producer: Efterklang
label: Rumraket / 4AD Records - nationality: Danmark

Track highlights: 1. "Vi er uendelig" - 2. "Supertanker" - 4. "I dine Ăžjne" - 5. "HĂŠnder der Ă„bner sig" - 6. "Verden forsvinder" - 8. "Havet lĂžfter sig" - 9. "Hold mine hĂŠnder"

5th studio album by Danish band Efterklang follows seven whole years after Piramida (2012). In the meantime the band released the live-album The Piramida Concert (2013), made with Copenhagen Phil [The Philharmonic Orchestra of Copenhagen] - much to the same formula they previously did with Performing Parades (2009) in company by The Danish National Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, they have as 'Efterklang / Fundal' released The Colour of Falling (2016) as a collaborative project with Danish composer Kasper Fundal. Also of 2016, Efterklang founded the side-project Liima in collaboration with Finish drummer Tatu Rönkkö, and shortly after they released their debut ii (2016). The following year saw Liima's follow-up 1982. So, to speak of a hiatus is not really the issue, although, seven years may seem like a long period in between studio releases from Efterklang.
The trio remains intact on Altid sammen, which is the band's first with a Danish title and also with lyrics in Danish. Musically, they explore new terrain - much as usual. It appears to be a premise they feel comfortable with, and it's something they have applied to all releases throughout their career in what seems like an attempt to investigate new ways to create 'natural music'. On this, they have tuned down on the more orchestral arrangements thus creating their so far boldest ambient dream pop release. Actually, it's quite fulfilling listening to Casper Clausen singing in Danish, and if he on Piramida sounded a wee bit too much as Matt Berninger (The National), then you might get the idea that someone else has taken over as lead vocalist on this one, as he now sings with a higher pitch. Compared to previous albums, Altid sammen isn't an album following a formula with contenders to compositions like "Mirador", "Hollow Mountain", or "Monument" which almost came with a label saying: 'single'. On the other hand the album here appears, in my mind, as their most coherent studio album where several compositions just overflow with lusciousness.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, Exclaim! 4 / 5 stars ]

27 November 2019

Latin Quarter "Swimming Against the Stream" (1989)

Swimming Against the Stream
release date: Apr. 1989
format: digital (11 x File, MP3)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,54]
producer: David Kershenbaum, Paul McKenna
label: RCA - nationality: England, UK


3rd studio album by Latin Quarter following a little more than two years after Mick and Caroline (Jan. '87). Since then, the band has been reduced to a quartet consisting of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Steve Skaith, lead guitarist Richard Wright, bassist Greg Harewood and keyboardist & vocalist Yona Dunsford, while songwriter Mike Jones still 'only' delivers the lyrics to the music, which is all credited Skaith. On this, we notice the contributions by David Lindley on guitar, banjo and mandolin, Denny Fongheiser on drums, Tony Waerea on didgeridoo, Judy Gameral on dulcimer, and Paulinho Da Costa as percussionist. James Swinson is responsibe for the cover art, just as he has been on the band's former albums.
Musically, not much has happened since the debut Modern Times from '85. Latin Quarter narrates about the usual subjects and the style is held tight in melodic pop / rock with bits and inspiration from pop reggae and folk. In that way you don't really notice a progression, where the small variations may lie in the fact that Jones writes the lyrics - and they do tend to touch on naiivity - be it deliberate or not. To summarise, this isn't entirely bad - it does contain good tracks but also songs that echo some sort of recycling. Even though it appears as quite coherent, it isn't exactly great. It's good craftsmanship and then perhaps not much more.
The band's debut arguably raised some recognition, the second album was positively notised especially in Germany, Sweden and in Switzerland, whereas this doesn't seem to have been welcomed that well. I haven't been able to find any registered positions from Britain, and in Germany and Sweden the album reached positions as number 38 and 50 respectively on the album chart lists. This progression has continued the following years, where none of the band's releases have led to positions, anywhere. Latin Quarter where inactive from '97 until 2010, but since then and onwards to 2021, they have released another seven albums.

Dead Can Dance "Dead Can Dance" (1984)

Dead Can Dance [debut]
release date: Feb. 27, 1984
format: cd (2008 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,54]
producer: Dead Can Dance
label: 4AD / Warner Music Japan - nationality: Australia

Track highlights: 1. "The Fatal Impact" - 2. "The Trial" - 5. "Ocean" - 6. "East of Eden" - 10. "Musica Eternal"

Studio album debut by Australian, Melbourne-founded, band Dead Can Dance, who at this early point after having relocated to London, UK, consists of Lisa Gerrard, Brendan Perry, James Pinker, Scott Roger, and Peter (Lawrence) Ulrich. Already from the band's successor Spleen and Ideal (1985) and onwards, the band is constituted only by Gerrard and Perry.
Musically, it's quite difficult to narrow in as the style reflects a mix from many sources. The front cover alone - depicting the ancient artwork originating from Papua New Guinea sided by Greek letters tell us bits of their influences. There are dream pop-hauling electric guitars and likewise vocal performances with bold use of echo or delay effects, and then there's 'world'-like use of strong bass lines and percussion, which altogether makes it highly original by adding a gothic rock / ethereal darkwave sensation, although, that term wasn't even thought of at this point.
There are no credit-list available, only a back cover note stating: "A special thank-you to Ivo, Robin and Vaughan for all the interest they have shown." Ivo being Ivo Watts-Russell, one of the founders of 4AD Records, Robin being Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins (also associated with 4AD) - both Ivo and Guthrie were involved in the musical project, This Mortail Coil, which included Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance; and Vaughan being Vaughan Oliver, graphic designer at 4AD.
The album was released without much recognition in '84, but by passing the new Millenium and a bunch of artists engaged in neo-classical and / or darkwave-styles, Dead Can Dance and this album have attracted much more recognition, although, the band's style here is more linked with contemporary early '80s music - putting the band aside acts like Bauhaus, The Cure, Cocteau Twins and This Mortail Coil. With later (and more original) releases, Dead Can Dance would prove to make highly innovative and influential music.
Later in '84, both Gerrard and Perry represented the band on the debut album It'll End in Tears by the music collective, This Mortal Coil, led by 4AD founder, Ivo Watts-Russell.

26 November 2019

Gregory Porter "One Night Only - Live at the Royal Albert Hall" (2018) (live)

One Night Only - Live at the Royal Albert Hall (live)
release date: Dec. 21, 2018
format: digital (19 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: non-produced / Jeremy Azis (video-producer)
label: Blue Note - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Mona Lisa" (other concert) - 6. "Miss Otis Regrets" - 8. "In Heaven" - 9. "When Love Was King" (other concert) - 12. "No Love Dying" (live at Polarprisen 2017) - 13. "I Wonder Who My Daddy Is" - 16. "The Christmas Song" - 17. "Smile" (Irish concert) - 18. "Hey Laura"

Live album by Gregory Porter recorded Apr. 2, 2018 at Royal Albert Hall, London. The album contains 19 tracks and is also issued in a cd + dvd combo-edition with the same material on both cd and dvd, also featuring an additional interview with Porter. The majority of the songs here are taken from the most recent studio album Nat King Cole & Me from 2017 as all twelve songs from that album are represented with the addition of seven songs from various studio releases. The band musicians supporting Porter are Chip Crawford on piano, Jahmal Nichols on bass, Emanuel Harrold on drums, and with Tivon Pennicott on saxophone - his usual backing band. Aside from these great jazz instrumentalists they're all supported by The London Studio Orchestra conducted by Vince Mendoza.
It's not an easy task to select highlights from this album where all compositions are fine examples of Porter's capacity as a vocal jazz and jazz standards crooner. He is in no need of modernised auto-tune equipment, nor a producers golden post-production touch - it's recorded as is, and it's the second best when you missed being there.
Basically, this is the best album release in 2018 - I just don't want to include live releases in my top-3 end-list, which is why it isn't there. But asked to choose between this year's studio releases by Robyn, Nils Frahm, Gorillaz and Porter's live album, I'd go with Porter anytime, as it's absolutely wonderful.
Highly recommendable.
[ 👍allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

25 November 2019

SĂžren Huss "Sort & hvid til evig tid" (2019)

Sort & hvid til evig tid
release date: Sep. 10, 2019
format: vinyl / cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,72]
producer: Mahler & Bir (aka Christoffer MĂžller & Lars SkĂŠrbĂŠk)
label: Universal - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "En smeltet kaktus i en vestvendt vindueskarm" - 2. "Postkort" - 4. "Romantikerens kile" - 6. "Vekseleren" - 7. "Sort og hvid til evig tid"

4th studio solo album by SÞren Huss is like his most recent solo album MidlivsVisen from 2017 produced by the duo Mahler & Bir and it also feature the same team of backing musicians credited as 'Hussband' with Lars SkjÊrbÊk on guitars and backing vocals, Christoffer MÞller on piano, keyboards and backing vocals (also credited string arrangements), Morten JÞrgensen on bass, and with Jesper Elnegaard on drums and percussion. In between these two regular studio albums, Huss arranged new music to the play "Bertolt Brechts Svendborgdigte" performed by BaggÄrdTeatret in Svendborg, and Huss himself participated in the play - the songs were released by Huss in vinyl and cd formats as Bertolt Brechts Svendborgdigte (Jun. 2018) by Sorte Plader.
The title of the album hints at the contrasting elements of sullen melancholy and light-hearted temper that appears to follow Huss as fundamental traits - his ability to write about the strongest of emotions whether he emphasises the troublesome sides to life, or he connects to an opposing positive side - as someone who needs to let the steam out of his system.
MidtlivsVisen was his attempt to break with an old discrediting label of only being able to write sullen soft rock tunes, and without much luck. To some extent, he seems to have returned to a more balanced tone that you'll also find on his sophomore solo Oppefra & ned from 2012. For an artist who spent his formative years writing songs in English, it's quite astonishing what type of true poet of solid craftsmanship he has turned out to be. SĂžren Huss appears as a genuine artist who just keeps releasing albums at a very high quality level, yet he also seems almost destined to writing songs that always connects with the conditions of existence.
Recommended.
[ 👉Gaffa.dk, Soundvenue 5 / 6, 👎Jyllands-Posten 3 / 6 stars ]

20 November 2019

Mark Kozelek "Like Rats" (2013)

Like Rats
release date: Feb. 19, 2013
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,02]
producer: Mark Kozelek
label: Caldo Verde Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 4. "Young Girls" - 7. "Silly Girl" - 9. "Carpet Crawlers"

A cover songs studio album by Mark Kozelek featuring Kozelek's very personal versions released on Caldo Verde. The original songs represent a huge mix of styles and genres as well as covering multiple decades. In Kozelek's acoustic singer / songwriter versions they all become alt. folk-styled with Kozelek on acoustic guitar and vocal. "Young Girls" is a song performed by Bruno Mars, "Silly Girl" is a song performed by The Descendents, and "Carpet Crawlers" is by Genesis.
Kozelek is an artist who doesn't forget to praise the music and artists he admires. On Songs for a Blue Guitar (Jul. 1996) by Red House Painters, he included three covers, on his ep-debut Rock 'n' Roll Singer
(Jun. 2000) he included four covers, and his full-length debut album What's Next to the Moon (Feb. 2001) is entirely made up of covers originally by the Australian hard rock band AC/DC, and the second album released under the name of Sun Kil Moon Tiny Cities (Nov. 2005) is entirely made up of songs by indie rock band Modest Mouse. Likewise, his live-concerts never seem to miss covers, and he simply enjoy doing covers from all styles and genres, and by doing so, heavily alters the original arrangements.
I have tried, and mostly I really enjoy albums by Mark Kozelek, but I just don't get this very complex album.

12 November 2019

Amy Winehouse "Lioness: Hidden Treasures" (2011)

Lioness: Hidden Treasures (compilation)
release date: Dec. 6, 2011
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Salaam Remi
label: Universal Island - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Our Day Will Come" (5 / 5) - 2. "Between the Cheats" - 3. "Tears Dry" (Original Version) - 4. "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (2011)" - 6. "Valerie ('68 Version)" - 8. "Half Time" - 9. "Wake Up Alone" (Original Recording) - 10. "Best Friends, Right?" - 12. "A Song for You"

Compilation album by Amy Winehouse released posthumously is primarily produced by Salaam Remi, but also feature two songs (tracks #4 & 6) produced by Mark Ronson.
The album title suggests a collection of well-hidden gems, and it may just be that but it's more of a mixed bag in the sense that it contains a variety of songs. "Our Day Will Come" and "Between the Cheats" are superb compositions that probably would have been included on a third studio release, but the remaining tracks come to define something else. We find outtakes, demos and rarities rather than future album songs. Some are alternate recordings, two songs are with other artists - Nas and Tony Bennett respectively, where the latter duet was her last studio recording, and then a couple of old classics before it's all over in just about 45 mins. Apparently, the songs were selected by the producers, Sallam Remi and Mark Ronson, but also with a say from family members...
The album debuted at #1 in the UK as it did in Austria, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, and in The Netherlands. It also became Winehouse's best standard charting album in the US making it to #5 on the Billboard 200 (Back to Black peaked at #2 when it was re-issued). It spawned two single releases - track #11, "Body and Soul", a duet with Tony Bennett reaching #40 and "Our Day Will Come" peaking at #29 on the national singles chart.
It's an album without fillers or poor songs, and it's more than nice to have these songs as well, although, the collection appears more as the incomplete glimpse into a treasury, where the voice of Winehouse is the jewel that shines above it all.
[ 👍allmusic.com, Spin 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5, 👎The Guardian, Q Magazine 3 / 5 stars ]

26 October 2019

Folkeklubben "Sort tulipan" (2018)

Sort tulipan
release date: Oct. 26, 2018
format: vinyl (UNI 7701033)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,48]
producer: Frederik Thaae
label: Universal - nationality: Denmark

4th studio album by Danish folk rock and pop / rock band Folkeklubben.
The band has become a major national act with its songs about a Danish everyday life and with lyrics that are both founded on humour and a certain amount of self-irony. They surely have made some fine and popular songs but overall, I'm not a big fan. It's somehow too mainstream sounding with a bunch of references to artists I just never appreciated that much.

22 October 2019

Ibibio Sound Machine "Doko Mien" (2019)

Doko Mien
release date: Mar. 22, 2019
format: digital (11 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,48]
producer: Max Grunhard
label: Merge Records - nationality: England, UK


3rd studio album by London-founded musical collective Ibibio Sound Machine. The band was initially formed by the three musical producers, (Australian-born) Max Grunhard, Leon Brichard, and Benji Bouton who got together to make a blend of Afro-funk with an electronic or a Drum'n'bass dimension, and the three engaged the London-born Nigerian lead vocalist Eno Williams, (Ghanaian) guitarist Alfred Kari Bannerman, (Brazilian) percussionist Anselmo Netto and the two multi-instrumentalists, Tony Hayden and Scott Bayliss. Brichard and Bouton left the project in the hands of Grunhard and the collective was then expanded by bassist John McKenzie and drummer Jose Joyette, which means that the musical collective now counts eight members.
Musically and stylistically, Ibibio Sound Machine represents a huge melting pot of influences and styles. Sometimes it's almost clean afro-funk or predominantly Drum'n'bass, at other times it focuses more on synthpop and / or an electronic soundscape, but most of the time it's just an original blend of everything and in that respect it feels like a manifestation of modern fusion (rock).
Some songs makes me think of Grace Jones (tracks #2 & #6) or M People (track #3) and my general impression is that the end result is a wee bit difficult, 'cause where's the Ibibio Sound Machine soul if not a modern but smart copyist "band"? The album is not far from the band's previous album Uyai (2017), but I find this a much more coherent and also better mixed release. Generally, I find that the electronic and afro-funk-styled compositions turn out the best with the Drum'n'bass bits as more anonymous and somewhat retro-styled.
Doko Mien is not a clear favourite, though it definitely has its positive moments.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

20 October 2019

Bill Frisell "The Intercontinentals" (2003)

The Intercontinentals
release date: Apr. 15, 2003
format: digital (14 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,92]
producer: Lee Townsend
label: Nonesuch - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Boubacar" - 2. "Good Old People" - 4. "Baba Drame" - 5. "Listen" - 7. "ProcissĂŁo" - 8. "The Young Monk" - 10 "YĂĄla" - 11. "Perritos"

Studio album by Bill Frisell following his 2002 album The Willies is like most of his albums on Nonesuch produced by Lee Townsend and the majority of the tracks are composed by Frisell, although, this one also contains four by others and one traditional; however, the biggest change on this is probably the boldest inclusions of world music on any album by Frisell, which is also seen on the list of personnel and then it's also referred to in the album title. Several tracks honour famous musicians of world music, e.g. the first track "Boubacar", a tribute to Malian guitarist Boubacar Traoré, who again is composer of track #4. The album feature Malian percussionist Sidiki Camara, also on djembe, Brazilian guitarist and percussionist Vinicius Cantuåria, Greek oud and bouzouki player Christos Govetas, American violinist Jenny Scheinman, and staple Frisell slide and pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz. Yes, this is indeed an intercontinental fusion, and the title of the album also became the name of this very ensemble, initially formed in 2001.
The album was met by international acclaim and is a perfect example of Frisell's continued journey to explore new musical soil. The album nicely balances African blues, latin grooves and rhythms, world music, and American roots music with ever-present americana.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com, PopMatters 4,5 / 5, The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings 3,5 / 4, Mojo 4 / 5 stars ]

17 October 2019

Brittany Howard "Jaime" (2019)

Jaime [debut]
release date: Sep. 20, 2019
format: digital (11 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,55]
producer: Brittany Howard
label: ATO Records - nationality:

Track highlights: 2. "He Loves Me" (live session) - 3. "Georgia" - 4. "Stay High" (live session) - 6. "Short and Sweet" - 7. "13th Century Metal" (live session) - 9. "Goat Head" - 10. "Presence"

Studio solo debut album by Alabama Shakes front-figure, Brittany Howard. Well, actually she made the full-length album work already in Sep. 2015 under the moniker of Thunderbitch, which was more of a musical project, where Jaime should be regarded as her actual solo debut. Howard is in complete control as she has written and composed all tracks and also produced it.
In Alabama Shakes the music is a tight mixture of warm and energetic r&b, blues rock, and soul, which also is a mixture you will find here, but on top of that this is much more complex in terms of styles. She blends all that with jazz rock, hip hop, contemporary r&b, and art pop to make her own conglomerate of styles and genres and succeeding without sounding forced or too varied.
Jaime has been met by critical acclaim and it peaked at number #13 on the US Billboard 200 and topping the US Americana / Folk albums chart list.
The musical arrangements and stylistic complexity immediately had me thinking of St. Vincent, but it's rather unfair to point at comparisons 'cause Howard only proves her artistic originality and worth, which pays tribute to the American heritage of great artists of jazz, soul, r&b as well as a great variety of modern performers of pop music.
Recommended.
[ allmusic.com, The Guardian, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]

16 October 2019

The Go-Betweens "The Friends of Rachel Worth" (2000)

The Friends of Rachel Worth

release date: Sep. 16, 2000
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,48]
producer: The Go-Betweens
label: Clearspot / EFA - nationality: Australia


7th studio album by The Go-Betweens released twelve years after 16 Lovers Lane (Aug. 1988) is the band's first since its recent reformation. Robert Forster and Grant McLennan had stayed friends and never lost touch in the years following the band's break-up in '89, although they were now busy pursuing individual solo careers. Forster released four solo albums - most recently Warm Nights from 1996 - and he produced a few releases for wife Karin BĂ€umler's band Baby You Know, whereas McLennan seems to have been more productive by also releasing four solo albums - most recently In Your Bright Ray from 1997 - one of these is a double album, and then he also released two albums with the band Jack Frost, as well as a single with the band Far Out Corporation. In the run-up to the reformation of The Go-Betweens, the two songwriters played a number of live gigs together assisted by bassist Adele Pickvance, either announced as Forster / McLennan or occasionally as The Go-Betweens, performing songs from their respective solo releases as well as songs from their time with The Go-Betweens. In Forster's autobiography "Grant & I" he recalls how the French music magazine 'Les Inrockuptibles' got in contact with Forster because they wanted to bring a longer article on the band's story and simulaneously they hired a version of the reformed band to perform as The Go-Betweens in Paris. The concert was quite successful and other European concerts soon followed. One night after a performance in '96, Grant aired the idea that they really should reform the band, an idea Forster didn't immediately reject, but it didn't materialise on that occasion as they had too many things going on. Forster had just released Warm Nights, which he intended to promote, and he and Karin were also expecting their first child, and then the near-always prolific McLennan was working on what would turn out to be his final solo album, the fine In Your Bright Ray (Sep. '97). Concurrently, he had also formed the band Far Out Corporation together with guitarist Ian Haug (of Powderfinger), Adele Pickvance, and drummer Ross McLennan (no relation to Grant), who had sometimes replaced Glenn Thompson when playing live with Forster, and together they released the album FOC (Oct. '98). So clearly, thoughts about new music from The Go-Betweens were still well and truly stoved away. As of May '99, Beggars Banquet released the album Bellavista Terrace: Best of The Go-Betweens - and the company wanted the band's aid to promote the album, and a new live tour was soon set up. The concerts were again powerful experiences and yet again McLennan had asked Forster whether it was time to reform the band and perhaps focus their joint songwriting on producing a new album. Forster first had to return home to ask his family in Germany how they felt about him doing a new shot at the old band, and with Karin's approval, Forster then moved with his family to Australia to make sure Forster and McLennan could work closely together on new music, just as they had found working was best years before - getting together with a handful of new drafts and then in a mutual process making a first rough sorting and testing out arrangements before the tracks were presented to the rest of the band.
For this album, the new quintet of The Go-Betweens consists of the two founding members, vocalist and guitarists Forster and McLennan, together with bassist and backing vocalist Adele Pickvance, who, in addition to having assisted McLennan on his solo tours, also was part of the band Far Out Corporation. Pickvance was to prove to be the only other and third stable member in the band's new short life cycle. Much like years before, all tracks are credited the Forster / McLennan unit, with one half of the songwriting credited Forster and the other half to McLennan, while all songs feature both as composers. The album is the band's first to be recorded in the US (Portland, Oregon), and to support the band they are assisted of the trio Sleater-Kinney, consisting of Carrie Brownstein, Corin Tucker, and Janet Weiss (drummer in three bands: Sleater-Kinney, Quasi, and The Go-Betweens). Officially, Brownstein and Tucker are only credited on track #9 for additional guitar and vocals, but apparently they contribute (uncredited) harmony vocals on several tracks. However, the album is the one and only with a line-up featuring Weiss and (husband) Sam Coomes, who both form the core of Sleater-Kinney.
The front cover only depicts McLennan and Forster (the back is text only), and the two reappear with Pickvance and Weiss (but without Coomes) on the inside of the digipak edition.
Compared to their solo releases over the past decade, the album doesn't offer strikingly new, and the closest is actually the style of McLennan and Forster's solo works, where they have both cultivated singer / songwriter and folk rock since the break-up in '89. It's very much like two troubadours doing their usual stuff - together, but separately. Neither the composition contribute much to the sound of the new Go-Betweens, and it's really only the familiar vocals of the two frontmen that connect the album with previous releases by The Go-Betweens.
As was the case before the disbandment, the album was met by positive reviews, and also by a lack of commercial success. All in all, The Friends of Rachel Worth isn't one of the band's most memorable albums, but as with their other six albums - perhaps with the exception of the stumbling debut - the songs have a distinct rock poetic signature. The lyrics offer fine lines and personal stories, 'cause as modern storytellers, the songwriting duo Forster / McLennan are in a league where you easily think of other names such as Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Tom Verlaine, David Bowie, etc., which in itself is exceptional company.
[ 👍allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5, The Guardian, Melody Maker, NME, Spin 4 / 5, 👉Uncut 4,5 / 5 stars ]

15 October 2019

The Radio Dept. "I Don't Need Love, I've Got My Band" (2019)

L-R: Duncanson & Carlberg
I Don't Need Love, I've Got My Band
(compilation)
release date: Aug. 23, 2019
format: digital (10 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: (rec. by Johan Duncanson, Martin Carlberg)
label: Just So! - nationality: Sweden


Compilation album by The Radio Dept. is basically two old EPs re-released as one album. Tracks 1-5 were originally released as the Pulling Our Weight EP, from Nov. 2003, and tracks 6-10 has previously been released as This Past Week EP, in Jan. 2005. The album has now been released on the band's own label Just So! (established in 2018 when they re-issued Pet Grief as their first album).
Well, this is what we get, when all we really want is new studio material from one of Sweden's most fascinating bands. I take it as a statement saying: 'Hey, but we're still around!'
The front cover is the first revealing the two members of Johan Duncanson and Martin Carlberg. Musically, it's quite naturally The Radio Dept. classic with melodic noise pop, indie rock, and shoegaze written all over, and then the two EPs actually fit nicely together, which makes it a most wanted album, despite being old material. It fits nicely as a natural companion to Passive Aggressive: Singles 2002-2010 (2011).

The two original EPs:
2003 Pulling Our Weight EP


2005 This Past Week EP


08 October 2019

Papir "V" (2015)

V
release date: Aug. 18, 2017
format: digital (7 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,46]
producer: Lars Lundholm [rec.]; Carl Saff [mast.]; John McEntire [mix.]
label: Stickman Records - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "V.I" - 2 "V.II" - 3. "V.III" - 4. "V.IV" - 5. "V.V" - 7. "V.VII"

5th studio album by Papir following almost 3½ years after IIII (Feb. 2014) is the band's first on German label Stickman. They hold on to the formula of keeping compositions without other titles than a succession of numbers, but apart from that this new album actually reveal a progression in the band's soundscape, as opposed to what you may experience on their most recent three studio albums. The album consists of seven compositions - in physical form it has only been issued as double vinyl (with tracks #1-6) and a 2-cd release with a total running time exceeding 94 mins.
Musically, the band still embark the space rock and krautrock starship, but on this they have now established room for more diversity without loss of direction. It appears the change to a larger label has crystalised in narrowing in how to come through as a band on a mission. Some tracks would easily go as obvious post-rock beginnings, middles, or endings, but Papir just include various stylistic elements in a broad combo. Here, you'll notice bits of shoegaze and dreampop but everything is cleverly incorporated with their talent for colouring and in that way V is easily the band's so far most successful album, and in my mind, an album of international value.
Worth more than a listen.
[ SputnikMusic 4,2 / 5 stars ]

29 September 2019

Sun Kil Moon "Among the Leaves" (2012)

Among the Leaves

release date: May 29, 2012
format: 2 cd (LTD.)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,46]
producer: Mark Kozelek
label: Caldo Verde Records  - nationality: USA

Tracklist: 1. "I Know It's Pathetic But That Was the Greatest Night of My Life" (3,5 / 5) - 2. "Sunshine in Chicago" - 3. "The Moderately Talented Yet Attractive Young Woman vs. The Exceptionally Talented Yet Not So Attractive Middle Aged Man" - 4. "That Bird Has a Broken Wing" - 5. "Elaine" - 6. "The Winery" - 7. "Young Love" - 8. "Song for Richard Collopy" - 9. "Among the Leaves" (4 / 5) - 10. "Red Poison" - 11. "Track Number 8" - 12. "Not Much Rhymes With Everything's Awesome at All Times" - 13. "King Fish" - 14. "Lonely Mountain" - 15. "UK Blues" - 16. "UK Blues 2" - 17. "Black Kite"

5th studio album by Sun Kil Moon released on Caldo Verde. The album is much like the previous album by being primarily acoustic Spanish guitar-driven with Kozelek playing and singing, thus continuing the band as his solo project, at least for studio and album releases as Sun Kil Moon still exists as a live band with Jerry Vessel, Phil Carney and Anthony Koutsos. All tracks are written and composed by Kozelek, who seems satisfied by accompanying himself while strumming his guitar. I just long for his more orchestrated compositions like the title track, alas, it stands much alone.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5 stars ]