ELM’s resident misanthropist Vespertine gets happy as he lists the albums which had him by the throat in 2009…
The Handsome Family – Honey Moon
The Handsome Family reduce the body count and use the lyrical gifts of Rene Sparks to address love, fidelity and romance. And death…but that was never going to disappear completely. Beautiful and sincere little songs from a parallel universe.
Grizzly Bear – Vekatamist
Hyped? Yes, but sometimes bands can justify the hype. Grizzly Bear are not a simple proposition: reverb drenched vocals and echo chamber guitars soak over jittery songs which seem to take as their cue The Beach Boys and more modern zeitgeist capturing sounds such as post-rock, metal and folk. Strangely subdued and yet it became a slow burner for many people….a left-field guitar band who broke through without an obvious single or even any fast songs.
Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
She’s always great and the high standards are met here and in some cases surpassed. The album takes as its themes nature, the animal world, teenage yearning, passion and small town America. Business as usual then but Neko can still surprise and the haunting and vague ‘The Pharaohs’ is as unsettling and beautiful as anything she’s ever done.
The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
Another concept album. This time rock, folk and pop bring us the tale of Margaret who is seduced by a shape-shifting forest creature. The tale then unfolds as to how they can be together and raise their unborn child despite the presence of The Queen and The Rake.
Nonsensical but wonderful.
Taken By Trees – East of Eden
Victoria Bergsman has come a long way since the early days of The Concretes. This album is a mature yet playful effort as she works with Pakistani musicians from the Sufi tradition. It is gently percussive and hypnotic and Bergsman sings better than ever. This album works its way into your affection over time…..the percussion and wind instruments nagging away in your brain, especially on ‘Day After Day’.
Mastodon – Crack The Skye
Yes. Mastodon (pictured). It’s heavy metal. They have beards. Each song lasts a day and half. But it really is f***ing awesome and caught me at the right time, place and mood. An album that makes you laugh and yet rocks you at the same time. Of course it’s preposterous but that is half the attraction.
Vetiver – Tight Knit
Does what Vetiver always do: it sways and swings like 1970s California. Ghosts of James Taylor, Tim Buckley and Joni Mitchell are hovering but the band’s songs are strong enough to remove the album from the fate that might have befallen it: a lengthy stoned jam. Instead the band’s skills add touches that frame the songs.
Understated and lovely.
Great Lake Swimmers – Lost Channels
An album that a few fans found ‘too pop’ and ‘throwaway’ but I found to be one I returned to again and again. Yes the tempos are slightly more jaunty but it’s not Shakira. Tony Dekker’s vocals carry the suite of songs along and the lyrics touch vaguely on nature, progress, science and relationships. Not an album you’d love unless you love GLS but there is nothing wrong with working within your own style using your own talents and creative processes. The Fall did it for 30 years and 40 albums.
The Antlers – Hospice
Not a comedy. This is the tale of a man whose wife is dying of cancer. Oh yes. But it is a beautiful mixture of electronica, acoustic music, insightful and sober lyrics and pacing; the album works as a concept and as a song cycle. Brooklyn’s recent musical past has often seen loud, colourful bands throwing a mix and match musical party and this really does end the party by getting drunk, crying and putting on a slow record.
The Mountain Goats – The Life of The World to Come
John Darnell’s most openly Christian album is inspired by The Bible. It still retains his trademarks of superb lyrics, tales of losers, hopes for redemption and a gift for melody. More understated than recent albums. It is perhaps a sobering reflection on the last 18 months we’ve all had…..
More from the rest of the gang in the run-up to New Year.
Filed under: General Stuff Tagged: | decemberists, great lake swimmers, grizzly bear, handsome family, mastodon, mountain goats, neko case, taken by trees, vetiver
