This year's Sun Kil Moon 'April' LP seems to have created some controversy amongst fans and reviewers alike. TracksandGigs gave it a 9.0 and I was surprised to see some negative reviews and comments elsewhere. In retrospect it is an even better record than I thought at the time. It is also very much a record out of time though- these days people seem to want handy mp3s and downloads and the desire for a cohesive album that works from start to finish and makes sense if listened to all the way through just doesn't seem to be as strong as it once was. Sad that people don't seem to think they have the time to devote to giving a 70 minute piece of music the attention it deserves.
Anyway. In advance of his tour with Sun Kil Moon this Autumn, Mark Kozelek has released a 7 song live EP. Bizarrely, despite the title, it contains six songs recorded in Belfast and one in Manchester, all last Autumn.
The songs are all vocals/guitar and the track listing is a good mix of old, new and borrowed. Its great to hear Kozelek sing John Denver's 'Around and Around' again and a re-worked version of 'Gentle Moon' from 'Ghosts of the Great Highway' is another highlight. Ultimately, if you are a fan of Koz, you will be glad to purchase what is effectively an added bonus to last year's 'Little Drummer Boy' live album. Mark has a beautiful singing voice, there is simply no denying that and as a document of a night at a solo Kozelek gig, this works perfectly.
One for the fans then and if you want to hear full band renditions of songs from all phases of Koz's career, you'd be well advised to purchase tickets for this Autumn's Sun Kil Moon European tour. TracksandGigs will be there for one show and having seen a full-band gig from SKM back in 2004, I am very excited indeed.
8.0
'7 Songs Belfast' is out now on download from http://www.caldoverderecords.com
You get the cd free if you buy anything else from the Kozelek store AND the cd will be on sale at the Autumn dates. Just you try and find an excuse for not buying one...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment