Graham Reid | | <1 min read
Bowerbirds: My Oldest Memory
This delightful alt.folk debut for this small ensemble lead by Phil Moore from North Carolina has already won massive praise from the likes of the Mountain Goats' John Darnelle ("only once every 10 years or so does one hear a new band this good, bursting with ideas and audibly in love with music") and media such as Pitchfork ("hypnotically pretty and a little weird").
Harp nailed it perfectly when it described these 12 songs as "deceptively intricate and alluring".
This album originally came out in 2007 but has been here repackaged for their new record company with two extra tracks, and every one is a gem in miniature: poised, coloured by aching fiddle and underpinned by deep and distant drums like a pounding heart.
Moore has a gently beguiling voice and the flexible melodies weave effortless, invoking hymns as much as rural folk. There is a lovely sense of space here too.
Definitely on your list if Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Panther and the Zoo, recent Bonnie Prince Billy, Broken Heartbreakers, White Swan Black Swan and others along the acoustic alt.folk axis have seduced you.
Lovely.
Martin - May 13, 2009
I heard only one track of the Bowerbirds on an Uncut mag CD,a wonderful magazine.If they are recommended alongside Bon Iver then sign me up.As for Bon Iver Graham.Is he due for a tag?For Emma album with In Rainbows were my two favourites last year.The good Bon is a rare act ...hell he was even unbelievable on The Letterman Show.I think he had 3 percussionists/drummers with him as he gave it everything he had.I love his opening line on I think the title track as he rambles in `So everything'.He hurt pretty bad in that cabin but what a humming story.Catching deer with his bare hands and tearing flesh off as he jots down lyrics and he played most of the music himself.Right,bare hands and a gun.The legend grows .
Savepost a comment