release date: Feb. 7, 2012
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Aaron B. Dessner
label: Jagjaguwar - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 1. "Warsaw" - 2. "Give Out" (live on KEXP) - 3. "Serpents" - 4. "Kevin's" - 5. "Leonard" - 7. "All I Can" - 9. "Magic Chords"
3rd studio album by Sharon Van Etten is a continued indie pop and singer / songwriter release which balances somewhere between slow and subtle ballads and a turn towards more aggressive / electrified indie rock with reminiscences of garage rock. Without a clear cut of two halves, the first part of the album is primarily the most electrified with the second half reflecting stronger bonds to her 2010 album, Epic.
The album may be without obvious single hits but turns out as a fine and coherent release, and Van Etten's mournful singing makes me think of Cat Power but also makes me think of Van Etten as the American PJ Harvey.
The album is a fine grower once you allow yourself to let it flourish.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, NME 4,5 / 5, Q, Rolling Stone, Spin, Mojo 4 / 5 stars ]
