November 22, 2009
UTNE READER

Utne Reader Music Reviews: May - June 2008

(Page 2 of 2)

May - June 2008
by Staff, Utne Reader 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Robert Forster
The Evangelist (Yep Roc)
Robert Forster, best known for cofounding the ’80s Australian jangle-pop band the Go-Betweens, has aged into a remarkably well-rounded tunesmith in his solo career. “Demon Days,” which he wrote with longtime songwriting foil Grant McLennan shortly before McLennan died, is slow, lugubrious, and uneasy, the sort of song that sounds maudlin if it doesn’t match your mood but powerfully affecting if it does. “Let Your Light In, Babe,” on the other hand, bounces along merrily, with ooh-oohing backup singers and a nonironic use of “babe.” Overall, though, The Evangelist exudes melancholy, even when it’s couched in chiming melodies, and Forster seems to thrive on this vibe. He admits as much on the gorgeously reflective “Pandanus”: “I love the shades of nightfall, the faded blues and grays.” —Keith Goetzman

RELATED CONTENT

Steven Bernstein
Diaspora Suite (Tzadik)
After refashioning traditional Jewish melodies into popular American music styles for three albums in his Diaspora series, innovative trumpeter Steven Bernstein reaches into the history of his musical consciousness to tell the story of Jacob’s 12 sons on Diaspora Suite. As good and evil battle for power, instruments become characters in the narrative. An army of klezmer-tinged horn lines meets Nels Cline’s guitar; Ben Goldberg’s lone clarinet winds through otherworldly echoes and tweaked circle-dance rhythms; an orchestral climax of fluttering horns and manic drums heightens the drama. Bernstein’s fierce knack for musical storytelling coupled with his band’s improvisational spirit and diverse repertoire of influences make this the highlight of the series. —Jennifer Odell

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 |
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

Add Your Comment

We’d like to know what you think. To comment, please use this form. E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments. First time registrants: You will receive an email confirming your email address. Once you confirm, your comment will be posted. Questions about our comments policy? Click here.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Utne Reader?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Pay Now & Save $6!
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Want to gain a fresh perspective? Read stories that matter? Feel optimistic about the future? It's all here! Utne Reader offers provocative writing from diverse perspectives, insightful analysis of art and media, down-to-earth news and in-depth coverage of eye-opening issues that affect your life.

Save Even More Money By Paying NOW!

Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You save an additional $6 and get 6 issues of Utne Reader for only $29.95 (USA only).

Or Bill Me Later and pay just $36 for 6 issues of Utne Reader!