Instead of doing a best-of-the-year list, I'm only going to talk about one record. If I were going to make a list, Hymns for a Dark Horse by the Bowerbirds would be #2 (second to Spoon's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - but you've already heard about that one.) If you discover just one great record from all of the lists being written at this time of the year, I really hope its this one.
The Bowerbirds are your quintessential hippie folk band. They live in an Airstream, but are currently building a log cabin using almost no power tools at all. All of the energy that they use comes from solar panels, and they have no rent to pay, of course, meaning that they are completely free to do whatever they want with their lives. I have nothing but admiration for these people as I type away under the dim fluorescent lights of my office.
All of that aside, their music renders me awestruck. It's like sitting in the middle of a forest listening to a music box surrounded by all of the creatures that live there. The instrumentation is simple and delicate, and the lyrics conjure up beautiful vivid imagery. Neutral Milk Hotel is the only other music that presents such strong visuals while I'm listening to it. "Hooves" contains one of my favorite lines on the record ("you're the kindling stick that burns below my heart")
The Bowerbirds - Hooves
Buy Hymns for a Dark Horse
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1 comment:
I needed to tell you, Christina, that upon your recommendation, I grabbed me some Bowerbirds, and they've instantly rocketed to the top of my playlist. Love love love it. Sounds sort of Sufjan-meets-Devendra-with-Blackheart-Procession-in-the-background kinda sorta.
Thanks a ton, this is some excellent, amazing music. :) Keep it up!!!
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