Album Review: Sun Kil Moon's "April" - (6.5/10)

By Old Man

Sun Kil Moon - April - 6.5/10


I remember driving home from work listening to KEXP and hearing the opening acoustic guitar riff of "Glenn Tipton" from Sun Kil Moon's debut album, Ghosts of the Great Highway , and pulling to the side of the road to listen to the song. I could barely understand what Mark Kozelek (of Red House Painters notoriety) was saying, but it didn't really matter. It had such a great vibe, and great restraint as well - adding a new instrument with each verse - heck, the drums didn't even enter until after the song was already over. I turned around and picked up the disc at the local record store immediately. I'd heard it called SSRI music, and while I wouldn't disagree, I think to throw it into the "sad music" genre was drastic - Kozelek's lyrics (once I deciphered them) were playful as well as thoughtful and sad. It sounded to me like a soundtrack to a Cormac McCarthy book (sans violence), with both playful wit and serious content.

Sun Kil Moon's second album consisted of covers of another great band, Modest Mouse , done in Kozelek's alt-folk-country sound, with some obvious improvements in his guitar playing. It sounded like he'd been listening to old Leo Kottke records . Though it didn't do well with reviewers, tracks like "Neverending Math Equation," "Tiny Cities Made of Ashes," "Four-Fingered Fisherman," and "Ocean Breathes Salty" showcased the beauty and integrity of Isaac Brock's lyrics in a new, less manic way then when paired with MM's backdrop.


The 2007 reissue of Ghosts of the Great Highway with a few more added tracks was a teaser, and pleasant in a nostalgic sort of way, but I wanted some new original material.


Needless to say, I'd been waiting for April to come out for a few years - so just having the album in hand was pleasant. It combines the better production of Tiny Cities which allows his vocals to shine more than on Ghosts. Kozelek is becoming a great fingerpicker, and his talent is showing more then ever. The band is for the most part in the same mode - a minimalist backdrop to Kozelek's lyrics and guitar playing. Overall, the ingredients are what you would expect from Kozelek and the band - outside of overall improvement of skill, it follows the same paths he has tread for years, and the formula works.


The highlights include "Lost Verses," the opening track. It's beautiful, and has a heart wrenching circular distorted guitar riff at the end that would fit into an early Pedro the Lion song. It clocks in at 9:43, half of the songs on the album are over 7 minutes. "Heron Blue," uses a repetitive guitar riff very similar to an early Long Winters song, "Unsalted Butter," and then moves to a classical counterpoint guitar section. "Tonight the Sky," a full 10:21, shows off his penchant for Neil Young guitar tone, not unlike "Salvador Sanchez" of Ghosts (though not quite as heavy).


While I enjoyed the instrumental aspect, the lyrics were disappointing. There were times where I felt he was trying to fit lyrics into the song that worked against the melodies and instrumental background. There isn't the same risk, the same play, the same sense of Kozelek having fun with himself. Where in previous albums I felt he was playing with the genre, even poking fun at how serious the music is, here I think he is serious - in my mind too serious, and treading deeper into areas that his detractors pegged him for. Sad music. Their isn't the same melancholy lift, almost humor, that I experienced from previous albums. As a listener who takes himself seriously, maybe too seriously at times - it was refreshing to listen to an artist who takes himself seriously as well, but isn't above the occasional pratfall that makes life bearable. Is April a good album? Yes. Enjoyable? Yes. Will I be listening to it 2 years from now, as I am with Ghosts of the Great Highway and Tiny Cities? Doubtful.