One of the records that got me out of my "I don't want to listen to ANYTHING" musical hiatus was a limited edition compilation album that I bought on an absolute whim called 'Portland Stories".
It is a collection of nine songs, produced and compiled by Heather Woods Broderick. She rode her bike to different locations in Portland and recorded on a four-track, various singer-songwriters performing their songs as live. Consequently, amongst these recordings we have tape hiss, false starts, spontaneous applause and a more intimate feeling than I can remember on any album for quite some time.
Portland is certainly a city filled with talented songwriters but all of these performers were new to me. The idea behind the project pretty much encourages solo guitar/vocals songs and that is what we have here just about exclusively. Consequently despite featuring nine different artists, the record flows very well and will appeal to anyone who likes alt country, slowcore artists or just accomplished singer-songwriters.
Generally the album works best when the songs serve as fleeting vignettes and introductions to each artists, the couple of five minute plus songs feel somehow like the performer is outstaying their welcome! The highlights for me are Kele Goodwin's touching and gentle 'Kite Strings', Michael Elias' trad-country offering 'Halfway There' which is not short on cliche but is warm and heartfelt and Nicholas A Marshall's slightly sinister 'Into The Night'. Mention must also be made of 'Galveston' who is actually Christopher Ashby, his offering 'Never Ask Why' is so reminiscent of M.Ward that I wondered if Ward himself was actually making a guest appearance, it must be something to do with the Portland air.
'Portland Stories' is such a rewarding little album, it reminds you why you fell in love with music in the first place. It is limited to 369 copies, beautifully packaged and the sleeve notes contain information and links to each of the artists featured. If you're looking for a gentle, heartwarming album to start the year with, I can't think of anything better.
8.5
['Portland Stories' is incredibly limited but as of now is still available through Sonic Pieces ( www.sonicpieces.com ). You won't find this in HMV.]
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