private / Gnomonsong
Feathers (LP/ CD) (US,2005/2006)****'
On the LP I recognize two tracks from the cdr, of which one of both is in a different, more worked out version. The vocal harmonies on the first track, “Old Black hal with a dandelion flower” could easily remind people of Comus, in a more relaxed form with handpercussion and acoustic and electric guitar. Many tracks, especially on side A have multiple fingerpicking harmonic arrangements, played by a lot of musical instruments (like mountain dulcimer, lap harp, sitar, banjo, acoustic guitar mixed with electric/amplified or fuzz guitar) and no keyboards. All these picking harmonies give some structured psychedelia effect or can just be called beautiful, bringing swirling movements in kaleidoscopic colors. This element is mixed with beautiful delicate vocal harmonies which create its own harmony. Everything recalls really the best moments of the ‘70’s UK folk Kissing Spell releases mixed with a deliberate psychedelia and personal songs. A few tracks are more simply arranged and give more focus on the songs, by male or female vocals, with only acoustic and electric guitars, with heartfelt driven singing. My favourite track might be “I bex Horn”, a second track I recognize from the earlier cdr. Here it is more worked out with extra electric and fuzz ? guitar improvisations, sitar, harp ?, piano ? and vocal harmonies. All songs flow perfect into one another, and gives perfect listening enjoyment.
Feathers will be appearing on a few tracks of Devendra Banhart’s new album, Cripple Crow, so I’m sure they soonafter will get all the deserved attention and bring with them another wonder to the listener thanks to this delicious example of how beautiful a style like psychfolk can be.
The LP comes with large full color poster and is limited to 1000 copies only.
A must for each psychfolk collector !!
Note : Two members of Feathers play with J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. in the band Witch.
Update : The album now is reissued (2006) on cd on Devendra's label Gnomonsong. (cover right)
