Lovely orchestral Americana
01/03/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD isn't for everyone, that's for sure. My wife disliked it instantly ("Psuedo-classical New Age stuff"), and my teenage daughter was ambivalent ("Acoustic Radiohead," which for her means ambivalence). I think they're both wrong, but those reactions are not entirely off base. I find it haunting and absolutely lovely, especially in the detail work -- the way a few notes from a fiddle, or a banjo line, or a vibes arpeggio (or all at once) will be woven around a rhythmic guitar hook. Every song is lush and evocative. Some of them succeed brilliantly; I can't get "Last Ride In," "And the Dog . . . " or "November 4AM" out of my head. Those are probably the most conventional songs, though, and on others the combination of extremely oblique lyrics, Celtic droning (or, sometimes, incongruous flamenco runs), and Darren Richard's not-very-pleasant voice (it wishes it could be Jimmy Dale Gilmore's) can drag. Every song has the same, middle-slow, mournful tempo and feel. But the high points way outnumber the low ones, and overall this is a strong example of thoughtful, arty Americana of the sort that descends from The Band, and that various groups produced by David Fridman have been practicing of late. It's much more interesting and satisfying than Mercury Rev's "Deserter's Songs," a much-hyped CD in the same vein."
Beautiful and highly recommended!
09/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This record picks up where Rigging the Toplights left off. It's an album full of mournful tales and beautiful melodies. Think Tindersticks with world music influences or Tom Waits with melodies.There are a few instrumental songs throughout and these provide short, eerie respites between the vocalsongs. The last song "Buried in St. Cloud" is especially haunting and sounds like a New Orleans funeral dirge complete with trombone, trumpet and string bass. The lyrics are very good adn conjure up vivid images of stark landscapes and people at odds with themselves and the world. For example "A Friend to the Minnesota Strangler" seems to be about a north country serial killer who rubs people out because of their "unfriendly ways" whose only friends are a bird kept in a shoebox and the blue sky above. strange stuff maybe but the feelings of isolation and self doubt are ones that most of us can relate to. Not to give the impression this is mope-rock, there is plenty of quiet reflection adn hope in the songs too. Another great record from one ofAMerica's best sleeper bands. Highly recommended!"
Aaarrrggh! I can't get enough of these guys
andrew dingledy | salem, ma United States | 03/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"How can someone write music so beautiful, sad, and moving? This CD is pure genius, one of those albums that lets you close your eyes and drift away with it. The voice is perfect, and the mood is perfect. I can't figure out how anyone could write music this good. It's a shame not enough people know about it."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1