The National recently made its tv debut on Letterman. The band played Fake Empire, off its fantastically gloomy latest album Boxer. Gotta love the horn section.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Nick Drake- Family Tree
Nick Drake is the quintessential singer-songwriter. Listeners should be eternally grateful for Pink Moon, Five Leaves Left, and Bryter Layter. So when news arose of a posthumous Nick Drake album, fans rejoiced at the idea of new material. And while Family Tree is merely a collection of home recordings dating back to before Drake's first record, he has lengthened the runtime of his sonic legacy and has also added several gems to an already stunning discography.
Sprinkled in between rough cuts of Drake's b-sides are covers, with Family Tree containing renditions of Bob Dylan, Mozart, and Jackson C. Frank songs among others. Drake's sister Gabrielle and mother Molly also contribute to this release, appearing on numerous tracks to bolster Nick's hauntingly sparse guitar-and-vocals aesthetic.
To be entirely honest, this latest album isn't anywhere near constituting Drake's finest work. With that being said, any new Drake material is welcomed with open arms. So here's the real question: How does Family Tree stack up to Drake's other work?
The truth? Not that well. It does contain a few diamonds in the rough though, namely the cozy piano-laced Poor Mum and the sibling-driven All My Trials. The latter finds Drake's sister Gabrielle exhibiting her quirky lower-pitched vocals to great effect as brother and sister feed off each other and create goosebumps.
A stunning remastered rendition of Five Leaves Left's Way To Blue is perhaps the highlight of Family Tree. The originally grandiose aura of the song is scrapped for a more intimate, pensive state which relies on Drake's compelling vocals and delicate piano work.
Save for a few surprises, Family Tree is what one would expect from a b-sides album. Solid but mostly forgettable. Inspired but rarely ever poignant. Make no mistake, this is no Pink Moon II. However, the brilliant new version of Way To Blue in addition to the interesting Drake family dynamic make this album worth a spin.
6.6/10
Sprinkled in between rough cuts of Drake's b-sides are covers, with Family Tree containing renditions of Bob Dylan, Mozart, and Jackson C. Frank songs among others. Drake's sister Gabrielle and mother Molly also contribute to this release, appearing on numerous tracks to bolster Nick's hauntingly sparse guitar-and-vocals aesthetic.
To be entirely honest, this latest album isn't anywhere near constituting Drake's finest work. With that being said, any new Drake material is welcomed with open arms. So here's the real question: How does Family Tree stack up to Drake's other work?
The truth? Not that well. It does contain a few diamonds in the rough though, namely the cozy piano-laced Poor Mum and the sibling-driven All My Trials. The latter finds Drake's sister Gabrielle exhibiting her quirky lower-pitched vocals to great effect as brother and sister feed off each other and create goosebumps.
A stunning remastered rendition of Five Leaves Left's Way To Blue is perhaps the highlight of Family Tree. The originally grandiose aura of the song is scrapped for a more intimate, pensive state which relies on Drake's compelling vocals and delicate piano work.
Save for a few surprises, Family Tree is what one would expect from a b-sides album. Solid but mostly forgettable. Inspired but rarely ever poignant. Make no mistake, this is no Pink Moon II. However, the brilliant new version of Way To Blue in addition to the interesting Drake family dynamic make this album worth a spin.
6.6/10
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