Elvis Perkins in Dearland

Today's Music That You Should Be Listening To is Elvis Perkins in Dearland, by Elvis Perkins, of course. This is his second album, following 2007's beautiful, melancholy Ash Wednesday.

Dearland has a very late 1960's / early 1970's sound and feel to it. Specifically, it was hard not to think of post-Beatles George Harrison, or maybe Bob Dylan had he decided to make more sense and less sense at the same time. The sound of the album is rambling and busy, with Elvis' voice and guitar occasionally leading a small battalion of instruments (though they carry more sparse instrumentation on some tracks as well.) Elvis' voice is good if not great, but he certainly knows how to use it; I can't claim him as my favorite or most respected singer, but I'll be damned if his voice doesn't set the tone perfectly for every song on this record.

The songs here are fairly personal and emotional; however, they manage to be accessible, even at the most reserved and introspective moments. This album has strong feelings is open about them without ever being melodramatic. It's not depressing by any means, but I would challenge most people to listen to this album once or twice - really pay attention to it - and not be affected. The mood here is mostly serious, but sometimes the instruments let some playful bursts through - not too many, though, and because of this they carry an appropriate amount of weight and relief when they do show up.

It would be difficult to pick the strong tracks on this album - some albums have clear frontrunners, but not so much here - though there are definite high points. "Shampoo", the album opener, would work anywhere on the album, but it hits all the right notes at the start. "I Heard Your Voice in Dresden" and "Send My Fond Regards To Lonelyville" have semi-bearable titles but are full of charm. "Chains, Chains, Chains" and "123 Goodbye" warm the soul. Really, though, there aren't filler songs on this album; even the tracks which I am less fond of are still excellent.

There have been some other very good albums released already this year - A.C. Newman and Neko Case, among others - but Dearland is probably the greatest pleasant surprise thus far. It's a definite step forward from Ash Wednesday - and this is a compliment to Dearland, not to Ash Wednesday's detriment. Ash Wednesday was quiet, moody, guarded, and still excellent. But Dearland is Ash Wednesday with confidence and friends, as though Perkins woke up one day and decided that his music didn't have to be asked how it felt, that it could come right out and tell you.

Dearland has strong ties to the past, but please, please let this be the way of the future. With this album, Perkins has made the kind of music that makes me glad that I care about music.

In Other News:
The flesh is knitting...slowly.

Professionally and personally, I am being tested this week. These things aren't problems, but opportunities to push through and come out with an apple.