Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway
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Free Music Notes for Ghosts of the Great Highway
Free Music Review: and i thought red house painters rocked
Hit: 5 Stars
Kozelek does it again... this cd is absolutly wonderful.Free Music Review: A great work.
Hit: 4 Stars
This CD is thoughtful, with storytelling lyrics and sensitive, incisive music. Like any Red House Painters CD, it's great to put on for a sentimental mood.
I can understand how some people don't relate to the enthusiasts. Kozelek's works may be a bit of an acquired taste--there was a time when I was bored by Red House Painters, even walking out on a show that I now wish I'd stayed for. (As one acquaintance said after the show: "Wow, the Red House Painters really know how to clear out a room." It was true, but to be fair, they were the opening band.) I was into Britpop, electronica, and Industrial music at the time, and this music seemed pretty lame. I just hadn't developed the ear for it. Also, I found Kozelek's voice monotonous.
But, I listened to this CD recently (after seven years since walking out on that show,) and I was very surprised at how I now connect to this music. I still find Kozelek's voice a bit droning at times, but that is trifling because I really hear the songs now. They are sincere and timeless.
Like one reviewer mentioned, I think Kozelek's work will weather all of the music trends, and this CD is no different. There is some undefined category of music--kind of like the Great American Songbook-- that people go to again and again, after they have tired of whatever new hot genre is out there. I am not saying this CD is absolute genius, but I nevertheless think it belongs in that category, because it is genuine, understated, and takes time to know and appreciate.
In short, you may not think this music is for you, but give it a few listens. Then--especially if you're in your teens/early twenties--come back to it in a few years, or seven. It's like going back to some spot on the highway that you've always just driven by, and discovering the beauty there that you never noticed.
Free Music Review: Outstanding debut album
Hit: 4 Stars
I really liked Sun Kil Moon's 2008 album "April" but for some reason I hadn't bought the 2003 debut album yet. I now finally have (for reasons I'll explain later), and what a delight this album turly is.
"Ghosts of the Great Highway" (10 tracks; 58 min.) brings singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer (and who knows what else) Mark Kozelek and his Neil Young-reminiscent voice and guitar work in the limelight. The opener "Glenn Tipton" is just Mark and his acoustic guitar. "Carry Me Ohio" brings the full band in Americana-mode. "Salvador Sanchez" on the other hand is an all-out attack of electric guitars. And so in those first 3 songs you have a basic overview of the various styles and songs you might expect from SKM, and indeed the remaining 7 songs on here can easily be catalogued in one of the 3 basic "styles". Not that it matters greatly. The album flows easily, even if not all songs are immediately accessible. But that's just the beauty of artists like Sun Kil Moon.
If you wonder where you can hear these guys, check out WOXY (BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll), the internet-only station that brings the best indie-rock in the country, bar none. WOXY just recently moved from Cincinnati to Austin (a controversial decision that did not sit well with many Cincinnatians including myself), and the very last song the station played in Cincinnati before signing off and moving to Austin was Sun Kil Moon's "Carry Me Ohio". It choked me up, I will admit it. I went out the next day and bought this album. Great album from start to finish.
Free Music Review: One take.
Hit: 4 Stars
I've been a big admirer of the work of Mark Kozeleck and Red House Painters for many years and have listened to their albums quite a bit, which is why I decided to weigh in with an opinion on the new Kozeleck project, Sun Kil Moon. It covers similar musical territory explored on the last RHP disc, 'Old Ramon'. The songs are similarly long and exploratory. For the uninitiated, I might make a comparison the Neil Young's 'Silver and Gold', but to me Kozleleck is more original and a better singer. His guitar playing is always very inventive, skillful and distinct; you know he plays around a lot with non-standard tunings. Speaking of singing, there is something about this album: I can barely understand any of the lyrics! It's quite melodic, don't get me wrong, I just can't pick them out. Sunny Day Real Estate tried something similar on their second album, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I guess he wants you to hear the melody more than the words themselves. It's funny because Kozeleck and Jeremy Enigk (from SDRE) are some of my favorite lyricists ever. What if Morrissey, or Ben Gibbard (from Death Cab for Cutie) tried a stunt like that, I ask?Free Music Review: over-analyzing stuff is fun!
Hit: 4 Stars
a seemingly complete aesthetic vision. i was immediately taken by the texture and loosness of the insturmentation- especially the guitar work b/c i like guitars. His good singing voice is used to haunting, sad, streaming, fractured, personalized effect. (I dunno, thats a major compliment considering I"m a fan of Cat Power, Josh Groban, C. Aguilera). So many hook melodies on this album, its not even funny. The coup de taut was finding lyrics on the web. I don't understand the meaning, but I really appreciate the boxing, sea, wandering imagery. Drove home the feeling of the album to me. Is it just me or is this album kinda like an elitisticlly artsy version of some of Los Lobos' songs? The eukele sounding stuff reminds me of Los Lobos softer stuff. Los Lobos blows away Parrot song when it comes to rocking out though. Dhajphong