Music reviews of CD’s/ LP’s that have that edge from our Music Guru in Melbourne Mr Tony Cox
Bill Callahan – Rough Travel for a Rare Thing [Vinyl] - (by now from AMAZON)
The experience of listening to Bill Callahan (aka Smog) evokes some of the same responses in me as watching a David Lynch movie does, but without the terrifying bits. I’ve seen his lyrics described (on stereogum.com) as “oscillating between downtrodden and vaguely threatening”. That description could equally apply to his off-kilter baritone voice, which adds both a mystery and a richness to the proceedings – as much with his live performances as with his ever-expanding studio output. If you thought Nirvana’s live version of ‘In the Pines’ pushed boundaries, wait until you hear Bill Callahan’s interpretation on this consistently captivating live set, recorded in an intimate Melbourne venue during his 2007 mini-tour. His vocals sound almost the exact opposite of forceful or strained, yet a sense of drama underpins this songs as it does the entire set, complimented by subtle arrangements and skillful musicianship which lift it to a five-star performance. The songs themselves (all but ‘In the Pines’ penned by Callahan) are as compelling as any of the contemporary ‘indie’ singer-songwriter output, and include ‘Bowery’, ‘Say Valley Maker’, ‘Let Me See the Colts’ and the ecstatically received ‘The Well’. I wasn’t at this gig, but I attended another one of his shows that same week, and hearing this set reminded me of what a mesmerising presence Callahan is on stage. If you missed him, this album should give you a sense of that mysterious allure.
Son Volt – American Central Dust - (buy now from AMAZON)
This is one of those albums that gradually works its way into your consciousness with repeated listening. Not too many attention-grabbing riffs, hooks or other trend-driven tricks of the trade – just intelligent, musically coherent songwriting, good solid playing and tasteful production make this an album that lets you discover its inner beauty when you are ready for it rather than it assaulting your senses. Not that there isn’t melody and musicality aplenty throughout the album’s twelve tracks; just that the approach is subtle and understated – one that allows the shaping of a particular mood that pervades the album and gives it its cohesiveness. That mood is conveyed through the album’s title, through the wistful longing in Jay Farrar’s voice, through the sweet licks of the lap steel and the gentle melodious rootsiness of it all. Is it because modern American roots music spawned a seminal magazine named after an album (‘No Depression’) that Jay Farrar was such a large part of that we associate the Son Volt sound more than any other as defining contemporary ‘Americana’, or is it simply inherent in the way this band – on this album in particular – cuts straight to the soul of what it represents? It’s probably a bit of both, but for anyone wanting to gain some insight into what this genre is all about, there could be no better way than getting immersed in this understated, underrated masterpiece. Just be sure to give it more than a single listen to reveal its secrets.
Laura Veirs -July Flame- (buy now from AMAZON)
The newest (seventh) release from this talented Portland-based musician who has helped make geeky the new cool and sexy sees her weave together many of the varied threads that make up her distinctive tapestry of sound and come up with her most magical and uplifting work to date. Recorded at home with long-time producer Tucker Martine (now also her partner) it combines the folky charm of some of her early acoustic work on albums like ‘Troubled By The Fire’ with the edgy inventiveness found on her more recent releases – with some strings and heavenly choirs seamlessly melded into the mix. The result is a rich yet accessible and ‘natural’ sounding collection of songs which appeal to the heart as well as the head. As if that weren’t enough, the vinyl release includes a rather beautiful textured fold-out insert, all of which combined will give your senses a thoroughly pleasurable work-out.
Trembling Bells – Carbeth – (buy now from AMAZON)
Here’s something wild and wonderful. If you can imagine Fairport Convention channelling their inner Neutral Milk Hotel, you’ll have some idea of the exhilarating sounds conjured up on Carbeth. This debut by Trembling Bells, a Glasgow avant-folk ensemble, has at its heart the classically trained voice of Lavinia Blackwall overlaid with the wildly euphoric musical creations of the prodigiously talented drummer/songwriter/producer Alex Neilson. It’s an unruly mongrel mix of a sound underpinned by a conventional British folk aesthetic – akin to taking a hallucinogenic drug and then knocking back a few pints of mead. Open your mind and indulge in its glorious ragged freakiness and you will be rewarded… or possibly damaged beyond repair
Mark Kozelek – The Finally LP – (buy now from AMAZON)
This is Mark Kozelek in hauntingly introspective (acoustic) mode, rather than his riff-laden Crazy Horse style. It brings together some loose strands from his prolific career in the form of covers that have been recorded for film soundtracks, tribute albums and compilations – ‘Finally’ available together in one place, and also the title of one of the songs included in this collection. Despite the diversity of sources and writers of these songs, this album has a surprisingly cohesive feel as though recorded during a single overcast afternoon session, such is Kozelek’s ability to make each song his own by imbuing it with that trademark ethereal melancholy. Hence Sondheim’s ‘Send in the Clowns’ does not seem out of place in the company of covers of songs originally recorded by Low, Will Oldham and Husker Dü. Also included are a couple of wistful instrumentals entirely in keeping with the mood that pervades the rest of the album. If you enjoy Mark Kozelek’s distinctive style you won’t be disappointed with this collection.
Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me – (buy now from AMAZON)
I first saw Joanna Newsom perform in a regional Victorian theatre just before the release of her ‘Ys’ album and was struck by the effortless way that these intricately woven songs with their poetic imagery just seemed to pour out of her, with voice and harp as one. What must it be like being Joanna Newsom, I wondered, dealing with an internal combustion engine of creativity in addition to all the (external) attention that being a beautiful young woman in the public eye attracts? Both the prolific creativity and the physical beauty are still very much in evidence on this new work – a sumptuously packaged triple album set which includes the results of a tastefully sensuous photo shoot. The music is intricate, lyrical and often quirky: the songs demand the attention of the listener (preferably with lyric sheet in hand as the vocals are quite indistinct at times). Even within the same song, one passage will evoke some kind of baroque nursery rhyme and the next something more akin to chamber music, but in Joanna Newsom’s world that doesn’t seem incongruous. The music – the Kate Bush-like vocals in particular – is certainly an acquired taste, but if you can immerse yourself in Joanna’s magical universe on her terms you will be rewarded with moments of sheer brilliance and beauty in both the musical and lyrical domain.
