Bonnie

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy . Lie Down in the Light . 2008. 4 stars .

While the indie-rock world may be saturated with countless Fiest/Arcade Fire/Interpol clones, you can always depend on prolific veterans like Will Oldham to breathe some much needed life into your local record store. With so many LPs, EPs and singles under his belt, credited to his many aliases, Oldham has established himself as a masterful songwriter, performing gritty and heartfelt tunes that transgress genres and styles.

Lie Down in the Light , the latest offering under Oldham’s BPB moniker, is one of his most summery and optimistic efforts to date, blending alt-country and folk traditions together for a laid-back and
rustic outing. The inclusion of traditional instruments really complement Oldham’s wide-eyed lyrics and finely-weathered vocals. Graceful, saloon style piano and fiddle lines the sunny "Easy Does It" which is a nostalgic ode to close-knit circles of family and friends. "You Remind Me of Something (The Glory Goes)" is a bittersweet reflection of domestic love, featuring the lovely vocals of Ashley Webber which lend some peaceful harmonies to the mix. Her contributions add to the warm authenticity that runs through the album, especially on the swirling ballads of "So Everyone" and "You Want that Picture", where passionate love affairs are laid bare for a voyeuristic world to see.

Oldham’s porch-settling acoustic fair is welcoming and easy to connect with, from the reflective "For Every Field There’s a Mole" to the dazzling blues-rock licks and pedal steel tones of "Where’s the Puzzle", these songs are full of unhinged spirit and candor. This music has a distinct feeling of travel and freedom, making it a suitable soundtrack for sun-drenched journeys and well-earned collapses on the grass. For Oldham fans, this is a essential listen, as it marks a brighter departure from the more melancholic Bonnie Prince Billy albums like I See a Darkness and The Letting Go . While Lie Down in the Light isn’t as instantly memorable as the remarkable "New Partner" and the like from Oldham’s Palace Music days, it is still a beautiful work that demonstrates the man’s tireless creativity. The summer is finally here.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 at 9:25 am and is filed under Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.