Highlights: Gustavo, Ceiling Gazing, Caroline, Somehow The Wonder
Of Life Prevails
Is it about me or about
Mark Kozelek that his latest records sound so brilliant? I’m not saying that
the man has peaked as a songwriter (though maybe I am), but both last year’s Among The Leaves (under the Sun Kil Moon
moniker) and this rather unlikely collaboration with Jimmy Lavalle make a lot
more sense to me than any of those acclaimed Red House Painters albums. Perils From The Sea is mumbling
minimalism at its catchiest.
John Grant. This is the
name that sprang to my mind the moment the slightly alarming electronic
beginning of “What Happened To My Brother” died down and we got into the actual
melody of the thing. The melody is lovely, and, mercifully, it takes the
central stage. Overall, Jimmy Lavalle’s electronic background is subtle and
reasonable and doesn’t in any way make Mark sacrifice good taste. Something that
totally destroyed Pale Green Ghosts
(Grant’s latest) for me.
As you would expect, a
very homogenous and calm album full of long-winded, cheerless ballads that are
nonetheless absolutely mesmerising. Mark’s world-weary croon works perfectly
with the disarmingly simple and memorable vocal melodies and sparse arrangements.
Take the poignant final song of the album, “Somehow The Wonder Of Life
Prevails”. You are supposed to treat titles like that with great suspicion, but
the repetitive groove is so captivating I could easily go one for another 10
minutes.
I can understand how one
would say this stuff is way too monotonous and depressing, but then there’s no
point in accusing Mark Kozelek of sounding monotonous and depressing. Besides,
for all its sadness, the tunes are perfectly appealing. “Ceiling Gazing” is actually
one of the most gorgeous things I’ve ever heard.
8/10
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