Quote Originally Posted by Jim Clark View Post
The Shearwater rec was pretty solid too. Not a great album overall but there are enough good songs to make it a worthwhile listen for me.
So much of what made Palo Santo and Rook two of the best records of the last decade seem to be missing on this latest one, at least on the first couple listens. But I remember how much time Palo Santo took to fully convey all of its complex beauty. And Rook as well, though it made a more immediate impact with the bigger recording budget and more polished sound. I first came to know and like Shearwater through Matador's re-recording and remastering of Palo Santo prior to the release of Rook, but I didn't find love until I got lost in the original issue. Yea, doesn't sound as slick or polished as the reissue, but it breathes with life. And I go back to that original Fargo 2006 release of Palo Santo the most these days (including right now which kind of prompted this post). Talk about the ghost of Jeff Buckley, maybe riding with Mark Hollis (btw, anyone else a huge fan of that beautiful 1998 one-and-only solo by Hollis?). Never liked the Matador remaster of Palo Santo near as much. The original just seems more honest, and a little more timeless. Helps that its much more dynamic than the remaster.

But back to Animal Joy, some good songs, but so far I lose interest about halfway through and can't yet remember the whole record. And the congested CD mastering is a big detraction too, they seem to spend so much time getting everything just right in the recording, and then compress it to death for the CD. This new one even sounds kind of distorted in places, best to go with the vinyl if an option. I know it's a new direction and all that, much more stripped down, but hopefully the lack of adventurousness I hear changes with more listens. Right now I think the earlier ones were much more interesting, starting with the amazing Palo Santo, and ending with the also amazing Rook.

That new Mark Lanegan rocks. Probably my favorite so far, but haven't heard many yet.

Just listened to the new Josh Ritter EP, it's some toss-offs that he couldn't use on the next album, all with darling in the lyrics. Kinda wish he would go back to writing more interesting (and substantial) music, like on Animal Years. Can't say I'm anxiously awaiting the next album.

Like that Cardinal return quite a bit, though not as revelatory as hoped.

But the rediscovery of how much I love that original Palo Santo, that's been my listen of the year so far.