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This is, quite spectacularly, Will Oldham's 21st solo album — his 12th under the guise of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. That any artist should be so prodigious is striking; for so much of Oldham's work to be so exceptional is even more remarkable. Of late, the tone of the one-time Palace Brother's recorded material and his live shows has been marked by a certain levity and, at times, jocularity, and so one might anticipate that Wolfroy Goes to Town would toe a similar line. In fact this is a very different kind of beast: sober, smart and his finest record since 1999's I See a Darkness – perhaps the work with which Wolfroy shares most in common.
For all the charm of Oldham's sunnier compositions, when he returns to more subdued territory he proves unfailingly spectacular. There is something in the frail, bruised tone of his voice, in the melancholy twist to his lyrics, which never fails to convince or seduce. The lonesome, disconsolate thread that runs all through New Tibet, Cows and There Will Be Spring seems to culminate in the slow, dull ache of We Are Unhappy: "Mind is going, faith is destroyed / Emptiness showing, God's cruelty deployed / Lovers have left, friends close their eyes," mourns the verse. "We are unhappy," pines the chorus. "We are unblessed."
Throughout, BPB is accompanied by long-time sidekick, guitarist Emmett Kelly, who brings an earthy warmth to the forlornness, and backing vocals are provided by the wonderful Angel Olsen, who serves to underscore the wistfulness with her loon-like call. There are brighter moments here, too: the staggering blues of Quail and Dumplings stands as the album's sole party number, though there is sweetness to be found elsewhere – in the waltzing opener No Match, for instance. But for the most part these songs stand in the cool, sudden shade of Godlessness. "Stop all the moaning / And bemoaning of fate," he concludes in Time To Be Clear. "God isn't listening, or else it's too late.” --Laura Barton
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CD
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Chris G
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Will Oldham's albums rarely go where you might expect them to which is all part of the charm of being in the company of such a distinctive songwriter and performer. On this latest offering there is much for fans of the more folkish, musically understated side of B"P"B to enjoy. This is epitomised by the wonderful, haunted and haunting "New Whaling" in which Oldham regrets his actions leading to the loss of a much cherished lover. The soft musical accompaniment with marvellous backing vocals from Angel Olsen (Oldham's chosen female counterfoil on this album)and trusty sidekick Emmett Kelly belies the tone of the lyrics; all regret and bitterness "I ended her, ended him, ended it all".
Elsewhere minimalism is the theme with the beautiful, barely-there opening of "New Tibet" belying its lyrics which examine the origins of violence in fear, hatred and power. And contrasts between music and lyrics persist through the album which explores life's big themes in a confident whisper rather than the scream which more conventional songwriters would employ. It's often difficult to remember that there is a band at work here with the musical accompaniment minimal and every note seemingly chosen individually for maximum impact. When the full band does kick in as in the closing moments of the excellent "Cows" when Emmet Kelly's electric guitar breaks through the silence the effect is startling - the light more blinding because of the darkness before it. Also worthy of note throughout the album are the excellent harmony and backing vocals with the aforementioned Angel Olsen giving stunning performances throughout. Oldham himself has never sounded in finer voice and the production gives the listener the impression of being there in the studio with the performers in a way that is incredibly powerful given the moments of pin-drop silence that punctuate these songs.
Finally, it's safe to say there will not be pinker packaging than this on any album this year (how much more pink could this CD be ? none) but don't let that put you off. This is a fantastic examination of the quieter, deeper Will Oldham and I suspect Angel Olsen will be a name we'll hear more of too.
Elsewhere minimalism is the theme with the beautiful, barely-there opening of "New Tibet" belying its lyrics which examine the origins of violence in fear, hatred and power. And contrasts between music and lyrics persist through the album which explores life's big themes in a confident whisper rather than the scream which more conventional songwriters would employ. It's often difficult to remember that there is a band at work here with the musical accompaniment minimal and every note seemingly chosen individually for maximum impact. When the full band does kick in as in the closing moments of the excellent "Cows" when Emmet Kelly's electric guitar breaks through the silence the effect is startling - the light more blinding because of the darkness before it. Also worthy of note throughout the album are the excellent harmony and backing vocals with the aforementioned Angel Olsen giving stunning performances throughout. Oldham himself has never sounded in finer voice and the production gives the listener the impression of being there in the studio with the performers in a way that is incredibly powerful given the moments of pin-drop silence that punctuate these songs.
Finally, it's safe to say there will not be pinker packaging than this on any album this year (how much more pink could this CD be ? none) but don't let that put you off. This is a fantastic examination of the quieter, deeper Will Oldham and I suspect Angel Olsen will be a name we'll hear more of too.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Glenn
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
At times the music is dirgecountry - Will Oldham's trademark cagey and occasional dissonant vocal crawling through painfully slow and barren songs - but I still love it! It is at the very least distinctive and interesting, but it's obviously more than this: that very sedentary singing drawing you close to the lyrics and confronting the raw emotion. Yet this album is much more varied than this, and his touring band of Ben Boye, Van Campbell, Shahzad Ismaily, Emmett Kelly, Danny Kiely, and Angel Olsen provide excellent instrumental accompaniment as well as soaring harmonies and other attendant vocal embellishments. Don't put it on to get the party going, but play in those quiet moments where thoughtful introspection and gentle pleasures are desired.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A lovely album full of beautiful melodies and harmonies.This is my favourite album of "The Bonnie Prince`s" for a while.If you know his music then you cant go wrong. If you are new to it and enjoy gentle, introspective Americana/Folk songs then check it out.
An album highlight of my year studded with gems such as 50 Words for Snow, Diamond Mine, Let England Shake and more.
Its really that good and should be more widely appreciated.
An album highlight of my year studded with gems such as 50 Words for Snow, Diamond Mine, Let England Shake and more.
Its really that good and should be more widely appreciated.
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