Album of the week

Sun Kil Moon
April (Caldo Verde)










Sun Kil Moon release their first original material since 2003. April has met the expectations and then some. The album starts out with one of its strongest tracks, "Lost Verses," which lasts nearly 10 minutes and ends with an amped up riff or two, after a subdued first 9 minutes. The ending complements the song well, almost like its wrapping the somber tone up and getting on. And subdued is a good word to describe the whole of April. It resembles Kozelek's Red House Painters(especially "Songs For a Blue Guitar") in that it has a darker undertone than Ghosts of the Great Highway and is surprisingly, extremely personal as Kozelek opens his experienced heart for all to examine. Kozelek sang about love before, but it seemed as though it was through a filter of some kind, never quite letting us completely in as April does.

If the album were to have a single, it would be "Moorsetown," probably the strongest overall track on the album although personally, I prefer the stripped down live version on Little Drummer Boy. It may be polished more but it still shines and is one of Kozelek's strongest songs -in sound and lyrics- yet, as is "Lost Verses" and "Heron Blue." "Heron" Blue" is a minimal powerhouse. It sounds as if it's suspended, where a bomb could drop at any time; the key being the bass drum which sneaks in halfway through the song. The arrangement is perfect and it sounds like new territory in production for Mark. Another standout, "Unlit Hallway" was also released on the live Drummer Boy and is also polished, albeit for the better this time due mainly to the Ukulele and backing vocals from Will Oldham who adds his voice to "Like the River" as well. Ben Gibbard also contributes vocals in "Lost Verses." Other highlights include "Tonight in Bilboa" and "Like the River." In fact, there's really not a bad song on the album. "The Light" and "Tonight the Sky" are somewhat monotonous, but even still, Kozelek's ability to lock you in with his vocals is unleashed. And you will find it hard to kick the melodies from "Lucky Man" and "Harper Road" from your mind.



hear: Lost Verses, Lucky Man, Unlit Hallway, Heron Blue, Moorestown, Like The River, Tonight in Bilbao