What does it sound like?:
Let’s get the an obvious comparison out of the way, Is this a female CSN pour nos jour? Well, the facts point that way; all three are great singer songwriters and their harmonies do have that goosebumps-inducing closeness. However, on comparing first albums, CLV have a wider stylistic focus. After kicking off with Atomic Number, a catchy bit of shuffling indie rock, the album ranges from Honey and Smoke a typical bit of kd low-key lust complete with Bacharach style backing vocals, Veirs reverb-rich homage to Judee Sill, and the soaring pop of Neko’s 1980s inflected Delirium. And that is just in the first five tracks. Taking in torch songs, C&W and Americana, this is an album chockablock with hooks and actual real tunes. Oh and the harmonies aren’t too bad either.
I’m already saying this is my Album of the Year.
What does it all *mean*?
Old fashioned songwriting is still alive and kicking.
Goes well with…
A proper grown up drink like a single malt, a dark room, and a broken heart.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
All the individuals involved. Oh alright then CSN(and Y) fans. If you are curious, taster track after the jump.
Getting a lot of plays by me:
I’m a huge Neko Case and Laura Veirs fan and agree this is album of the year so far. Sublime.
There’s a nice video of them doing the whole album live here – http://www.npr.org/event/music/482505160/first-listen-live-watch-neko-case-k-d-lang-and-laura-veirs-perform-their-new-album
Nice work finding that Tiny! Thanks.
NPR really are the cat’s pyjamas!
It is indeed an excellent album, seemingly heavy on Laura Veirs, which is no bad thing in my book.
I seem to recall reading that Viers was the instigator of the project.
I’ve only heard one track so far and was not particularly grabbed by it, which was a bit surprising as, on paper it looked to be an excellent combination.
I’ll have to investigate further in case my first impression was mistaken
Was going to post my review tonight but agree with everything you say and the song for Judee is my nomination for song of the year so far. With this and the Paul Simon album released in the same month it is shaping up to be a fine year.
Yep. It’s a very fine record. Received mine on Father’s Day. It’s a grower too – hidden depths on subsequent listens. Laura Veirs’ voice has deepened a little, no bad thing, and everything is impressive except the lack of a lyric booklet with the CD. Record of the year? People have such short memories, shheesh. ROTY was decided on January 8th folks, and you all know it.
Oh it is my ROTY. Confession: not a late Bowie fan. We parted ways around the mid-eighties.
I’ve only heard it once so far (on NPR First Listen) as I’m waiting for it to appear in full on EMusic but I liked it a lot. I’m not familiar with Laura Veirs work but, on this listen I’ll be exploring further. I wonder if there’ll be a tour.
I would have thought a more obvious comparison (if such a thing has any worth) would be with Trio (or Parton/Ronstadt/Harris). It’s also a good excuse to remind us all how good the Trio albums were and that about 20 more Trio tracks are due out sometime later this year.
Gosh, have to be honest, forgot about them.
Re Laura Veirs John. Her best albums are Carbon Glacier and Year Of Meteors IMO. I first saw her supporting Midlake in a tiny venue in 2004 and have bought all her records and seen her 3 or 4 times since. She’s very approachable; sweet and modest. Talked to her several times. She’s quite a deep writer I think. Themes include landscape, astronomy and geology that integrate with personal and universal ideas. She’s also a prolific writer, unlike Lang and Case, which might explain the dominance of her songs on CLV.
The song Rapture from Carbon Glacier might be a good place to start. I don’t know how to do links, but I bet it’s on YouTube.
Here you go – have only heard the album recently and that is my favourite track,
Thanks – Last day of my Emusic month today so I’ve now downloaded Carbon Glacier.
Superb.