Sun Kil Moon - April
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Sun Kil MoonEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2008-04-01
Music Label: Caldo Verde
Soundtracks:
Music CD 1
- Lost Verses
- The Light
- Lucky Man
- Unlit Hallway
- Heron Blue
- Moorestown
- Harper Road
- Tonight The Sky
- Like The River
- Tonight In Bilbao
- Blue Orchids
- Tonight In Bilbao (Alt. Version)
- The Light (Alt. Version)
- Like The River (Alt. Version)
- Tonight The Sky (Alt. Version)
Free Music Notes for April
Free Music Review: A Sublime Masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
It's only in the last few years I've got to know Mark Kozelek's music, initially through the Red House Painters.
After listening to all his Red House Painters records many times I found out about his current project Sun Kil Moon and got Ghosts of the Great Highway and Tiny Cities. I was surprised by the difference between Sun Kil Moon and the Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon is much more direct in sound with definite traces of classic Americana, particularly Neil Young. Once I got over the surprise of Kozelek's higher pitched vocals with Sun Kil Moon I started to really appreciate the band but it's only with this record that I think Sun Kil Moon has reached its full potential.
This is a really sublime record, particularly the sprawling epics like 'Tonight in Bilbao' and the opening track 'Lost Verses' which after an opening reminiscent of Nick Drake turns into one of Kozelek's finest moments. It drifts into beautifully lush soundscapes mixing distant strings with stacked harmony vocals, then towards the end it transforms surprisingly into an indie rock instrumental recalling the Red House Painters. If radio was tolerant to 10 minute epics this could be a hit single.
'The Light' is like a great lost Neil Young epic with the ingenious juxtaposition of two or three guitar solos at the same time in places.
'Unit Hallway' is a haunting acoustic shuffle complete with duelling banjos of a much subtler kind than the movie cliche, perhaps the best use of banjo's on a rock record since Neil Young's 'Old Man'.
'Heron Blue' is like a dark Johnny Cash ballad with some surprisingly classical sounding guitar playing.
'Moorestown' is one of the albums highlights, a perfect slice of melancholy Americana with a wonderful string arrangement.
'Harper Road' is similar to some of the acoustic finger-pickers on his previous efforts but no less powerful.
'Tonight the Sky' once again reminds of Neil Young, complete with its down and dirty mid-tempo chug and a one note solo Young would be proud of. Perhaps it's a bit too Neil Youngish but it works.
'Like The River' reminds me of Will Oldham's New Partner and it's no coincidence Oldham guests on the track.
'Tonight in Bilbao' is another epic highlight, one of three songs over 9 minutes, but the 9 minutes never drag, the hypnotic minimalism of the guitar arrangement supports the melody beautifully and as the song progresses more sublime strings emerge. The string arrangements are a particular highlight of the album along with Kozelek's haunting melodies and guitar playing.
We're back in folky finger-picking territory for the final track 'Blue Orchids', but with a twist, as Kozelek unleashes some fancy classical-style fret-work in the middle of the song which transforms the song completely.
I mostly comment on the music rather than the lyrics as it is music which grabs me more than lyrics. To be honest the lyrics haven't particularly registered with me yet, but they never really have with Kozelek. I think that's more a reflection of my own listening tastes than Kozelek's talents as a lyricist because when I do pay attention to the lyrics they seem to fit the music perfectly.
Perhaps there isn't anything startlingly new from Kozelek on this album but that's not the point, I think this record is the most satisfying record he's released, certainly under the Sun Kil Moon moniker and it ranks as one of the finest releases I've heard in recent years. Due to the length of the songs, melancholy mood and lack of instant hooks this album will never get to the top of the charts but then again, music this good rarely does.
April Poster
April, the new album from Sun Kil Moon, is Mark Kozelek's first original record since the acclaimed 2003 Sun Kil Moon debut ''Ghosts Of The Great Highway''. 11 songs at almost 74 minutes, ''April'' is a collection of songs recorded between March and August 2007 in San Francisco (Hyde Street Studios) and Seattle (Well Recording). In the spirit of Sun Kil Moon's ''Ghosts'' and ''Tiny Cities'', Mark was joined by the same players as before, including drummer Anthony Koutsos (Red House Painters), bassist Geoff Stanfield (Black Lab), violist Michi Aceret, and percussionist David Revelli. ''April'' also finds Mark in the company of guest vocalists Bonnie Prince Billy, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie), and Eric Pollard (Retribution Gospel Choir).The album will come with a bonus CD featuring four alternate versions of songs from "April".
April is the album from Sun Kil Moon and it is Mark Kozelek's first original record since the acclaimed 2003 debut Ghosts Of The Great Highway. April is a collection of songs recorded between March and August 2007 in San Francisco (Hyde Street Studios) and Seattle (Well Recording). In the spirit of Sun Kil Moon's "Ghosts" and "Tiny Cities", Mark was joined by the same players as before, including drummer Anthony Koutsos (Red House Painters), bassist Geoff Stanfield (Black Lab), violist Michi Aceret, and percussionist David Revelli. "April" also finds Mark in the company of guest vocalists Bonnie Prince Billy, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie), and Eric Pollard (Retribution Gospel Choir).
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