Bright Is the Music

Dark Was the Night - Various Artists (all super duper cool indie acts though)


Dark Was the Night has been getting plenty of Internet buzz and rightly so, it's practically a attendance sheet for who's attending the "in scene" for 2009 indie music. There is plenty of new material here from the standard bands in the business, most of which is really damn good. There's the whole notion of this being a charitable album as well, so that gives it even more credence.

The album is produced by Aaron and Bryce Dressner of the National in association with the founder of the Red Hot Organization. The sweep of styles and approaches makes for a compelling listen that doesn't drag or lull ever. The songs are interesting in structure, length, originality and feel. The title comes from an old Blind Willie Johnson tune, which is featured on the album, along with several other covers and remakes.

The bands seem be having fun with themselves, pushing creative limits and breaking out of the shell of writing songs for an album, rather a stand alone track to can just let loose.

Since it's a compilation it is difficult to rate the album as a whole, not just to those artists that blow the door off the hinge and those that played it safe. So, in just accreditation, I am reviewing each track with a few words and a * to ***** ranking. * of course being the opposite of *****, which is of course awesome. I'll review the most worthy tracks.

Knotty Pine - Dirty Projectors and David Byrne: From the onset you realize this album is taking itself seriously and putting forth real music from eltie artists. Knotty Pine is one of the strongest tracks on the album. I'm not overly familiar with DP but they have certain sensibilities that flush up perfectly with King Bynre. ****

Cello Song - The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez: Playful pop tune that works well with the vibe of the album, I like this track more with each listen. the vocals are crisp and rolling. ***

Train Song - Feist + Ben Gibbard (DCFC): Great rendition of this x song. Feist just has such a beautiful voice, soulful and smart with the right amount of lift. Ben does a great job of balancing, but his voice has grown raspier of late, lost are the sweet whisper tunes of DCFC. ****

Brackett, WI - Bon Iver: Bon Iver is going to have a big year, very big. He has a formula and it simply works. The more ghostly his vocals the more endearing the song. The arrangement on this track keeps the song progressing at a great tempo. ***

Deep Blue Sea - Grizzly Bear: Dude just has perfect lyrics. Dark, swelling, moody song. ***

So Far Around the Bend - The National: They took pride with this project and lay down one of it's top tracks. Man this band just gets better with time. The brass is a wonderful delight of an addition to their sound. Lyrically, The National's songs tell the best narrative and dig deeper into characters than anyone out there. *****

Tightrope - Yeasayer: Another band ready for a big year. This song is phenomenal. Love what these guys have going on, there sound is unique but so catchy. *****

I Was Young When I Left Home - Antony + Bryce Dessner (the National): Antony's voice is magic. Beautiful song, reminds me a lot of Richard Thompson. ****

You Are the Blood - Sufjan Stevens: WOW. This song is epic. Sufjan has been out of my loop for some time but I am more than intrigued after this winner. Possibly the best track this album has to offer. *****

Well-Alright - Spoon: Spoon simply never disappoints me. Perfect pop. This tune hags with my all day, great sound for him and I love the heavier layered guitar work. *****

El Caporal - My Morning Jacket: I've come to complete terms with this band, they are doing exactly what they want and be it great it not it always sounds swell. Just a fun song, that isn't over the top as some of Evil's tracks. ***

The rest:
Feeling Good - My Brighest Diamond ***
Dark Was the Night - Kronos Quartet ***
Big Red Machine - Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) + Aaron Dressner (the National) ***
Sleepless - the Decemberists ***
(Die) - Iron and Wine ****
Service Bell - Grizzly Bear + Feist
Lenin - Arcade Fire ***
Inspiration Information - Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings ***
With a Girl Like You - David Sitek (TV on the Radio) ***
Blood Pt. 2 - Buck 65 (remix) featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti ****
Hey, Snow White - the New Pornographers ***
Gentle Hour - Yo La Tengo **
Another Saturday - Stuart Murdoch **
Happiness - Riceboy Sleeps ***
Amazing Grace - Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues **
The Giant of Illinois - Andrew Bird ***
Lua - Conor Oberst and Gillian Welch ***
When the Road Runs Out - Blonde Redhead + Devastations **
Love vs. Porn - Kevin Drew *

Overall, would have been an insane single album, songs on the second disc begin to loose me, but all are worth a listen. Clear that these artists were looking to impress/inspire one another as well. Great compilation.