Sun Kil Moon - April

Whether you are celebrating April Fool’s Day for its relation to the turning of the seasons or for its sixteenth-century roots as a day of hi jinx and pranks played on those who would not accept the calendar reformations made under the reign of Charles IX and the change in the Gregorian Calendar, I am celebrating it with the brilliant release from former Red House Painters’ frontman Mark Kozelek’s latest musical endeavor, Sun Kil Moon, and their latest release, the appropriately titled April. This is a stellar follow up to his previous release—which was a valiant attempt to make the whiny songs of Modest Mouse sound palatable. April finds Kozelek back to what he does best, atmospheric and lush orchestrations flavored with subtle and introspective lyrics. Relying on the cornerstone that he laid back when he was establishing his musical prowess with the Red House Painters, Kozelek has finally hit his stride with this phenomenal release.

Reminiscent of Chris Whitley’s “Scrapyard Lullaby,” Kozelek’s apparitional guitar weaves eerily through the shadowy rhythms of former RHP bandmate Anthony Koutsos and former Black Lab bassist Geoff Stanfield. These eleven songs of supernatural symphonies will take you on a spiritual aural quest. The depth and precision of each composition is a miracle within itself that will boggle even the most astute of musical ears. The reflective lyricism makes a very powerful statement, while the wistful musicianship can almost detract one from the personal truths espoused by Kozelek’s minimalist approach to singing. Bittersweet and melancholic, April is just an ornate and elaborate attempt to melodically define the imperfections that the month of April seems to bring, as we modulate from the wintertime of loss to the springtime of love—a feat Kozelek and company successfully conquer on this recording. You would be a fool not to mark a reminder on your calendar to buy this CD.

The Sword - Gods of The Earth

Is there anyone out there besides me who has totally embraced the brooding and uncompromising attack of The Sword, one of the finest bands to emerge from the postmodern stoner-rock subgenre? Hailing from that mecca of alternative country and folk rock capital—Austin, Texas—The Sword, with their complex volatility and intense ambition, could possibly singlehandedly commence Armageddon upon Southwest roots rock hegemony. Following in the footsteps of retro-dinosaur rockers Kyuss, The Sword prove that they were a voice to be reckoned with on the first release,Age Of Winters, and they further that notion with this latest release.Gods of The Earth finds The Sword more focused and less murky in their song structures. Gone is the doom and gloom that dominated the sludgefest of Winters and replaced with blazing and glorious anthems reminiscent of early Metallica and later Ozzy-era Black Sabbath.

Gods of The Earth is the perfect soundtrack for either a reckless road trip or a raucous late night party. Each song oozes with head-banging intensity mixed with menacing sensitivity.  This CD has the ability to be both riff-laden but rhythmically challenging and not over the top in either approach. It is a beautiful mix of guitar heroism and unpretentiousness. The Sword has created a musical miracle that can cure and transform the utmost sullen moods into the pleasantries of creature comforts. Stuck in a five o’clock traffic jam? Put this on and you will feel like you are on the open road to a desert oasis. Suffering from the idleness of cabin fever? Put this on and become the life of the party.Gods of The Earth could possibly turn 2008 into the next summer of love.