What a joy to listen to, this one. Andy Cabic's voice is really beautiful. Seeing Devendra Banhart live this summer only emphasized that, as his voice was dying so he had Andy sing a lot (who tours with him/is in DB's "band"/pretty much his best friend). I had never really noticed it, but one of the nice things about seeing Devendra live is how Andy's voice compliments his. His voice is soothing and mesmerizing as opposed to Devendra's who is rough around the edges. A few other reviews of this album said that Vetiver has essentially become one with the sound of Devendra Banhart, but I beg to differ. While they are exploring the same genre and sometimes instruments and ways to use them, their voices will forever make their music unique. They may collaborate, but in my mind are quite independent. While this CD certainly goes off in a similar direction as Devendra from Vetiver's other releases, I still think the sound is uniquely that of Cabic. His voice carries this album. They both use them as instruments amidst their hypnotizing guitar strums, flute solos, tambourines. Andy's voice is the best instrument on the album by far.
And this CD only showcases that with hoards of help from amazing musicians, and great instrumental backups (flute, full string section, etc). Devendra is on guitar and vox for a lot of this, we got Guy (Entrance) on drums, plus Kevin Barker (Currituck County), Otto Hauser (Espers), and Nathan from Brightblack Morning Light also on vox and guitar on select tracks. (Not to mention the other dozen or so musician he employs for this album). What a neat fun group. The only major players from this "freak folk" scene missing are the girls from Coco Rosie and Antony from Antony and the Johnsons.
But as opposed to Devendra's sound, there is a different edge to it. While Devendra's voice leads him to being more silly, edgy, rough, and poetic in lyrics- Andy's voice lends itself to shoegazery choruses, ambient "ooohhs," and a feel good relaxing listen. As far as the psych-folk movement is concerned it actually has an edge of retro rock and country in it which I find quite pleasant: think lots of nice tambourines and catchy twangy guitar riffs ("I know no pardon"). But also can get very mushy with droney guitars and harmonized "ooohs" (Track 1, "Been so long", my favorite). Yet he makes it quite clear is rocking noise is not yet dead and done with the epic guitars that break through the nice order on "Red Lantern Girls" Nice. It's mellow, pretty, perfect driving music. And tracks where you have Eric, Devendra, and Andy all harmonizing is simply vocal perfection ("Double"). And it lends itself to so many moods and settings, I can't stop playing it on my ipod, in my car, and even my kitchen. One of my favorite releases of this year so far.
Listen if you like: Devendra Banhart, Cat Power, Brightblack Morning Light, Will Oldham
Sample: a stream of the whole album
By Kelseytron