Devendra Banhart (Official Thread)

[ThemChains]

Really enjoying him lately. I thought it was funny that one of his songs was used in The Hills Have Eyes 2 trailer.

http://www.devendrabanhart.com/

[Cuddleworthy]

new weird america ftw

[IWasaCamera]

Leader of the "freak-folk" movement and a pretty darn good artist. Cripple Crow, Rejoicing In The Hands, and Nino Rojo are all solid releases. Smokey was quite a disappointment though.

[ThemChains]

Leader of the "freak-folk" movement and a pretty darn good artist. Cripple Crow, Rejoicing In The Hands, and Nino Rojo are all solid releases. Smokey was quite a disappointment though.

I haven't even listened to it yet, because I've only heard negativity so far. I love Nino Rojo.

[IWasaCamera]

Cripple Crow is tops for me.

[ThemChains]

I also like Oh me Oh my.

[IWasaCamera]

4th best in my opinion.

[FeynmanWannabe]

Leader of the "freak-folk" movement and a pretty darn good artist. Cripple Crow, Rejoicing In The Hands, and Nino Rojo are all solid releases. Smokey was quite a disappointment though.
Haven't listened to Smokey that much. I remember it having a handful of very good tracks though.

[IWasaCamera]

Haven't listened to Smokey that much. I remember it having a handful of very good tracks though.
Yeah, there are a few decent tracks. That usually doesn't cut it with me though as I am very much an album person and if I can't listen straight through, I won't listen at all.

[ThemChains]

Yeah, there are a few decent tracks. That usually doesn't cut it with me though as I am very much an album person and if I can't listen straight through, I won't listen at all.

Hmmm...is that for all albums? Like, no songs are good enough to stand alone?

[mattybobviously]

I don't feel like he's written an "album" album yet, Smokey... was just a collection of random shit he wanted to write.

[IWasaCamera]

Cripple Crow and Rejoicing In The Hands are definitely "albums". An argument could be made for Nino Rojo as well.

[B-Bones]

Me likey.

[B-Bones]

The only thing he's good for is banging Natalie Portman

Explain.

[ThemChains]

Explain.

Post was deleted. Should put his money where his typing fingers are.

[FayeQC]

Oh me Oh my is so amazing, though it took time to grow on me

[youngmountain]

I really like 'now that i know' because it sounds pretty nick drake-ish, i heard it on friday night lights. The rest of his stuff i'm not that wild about.

[Chris Reynolds]

Nino Rojo and Oh Me Oh My are by far his best albums, imo. Cripple Crow is solid as well. Smokey has been getting a lot of hate, but I'm one of the few it seems who actually enjoy the album.

What are your guys' favorite songs by him? Mine's gotta be Little Yellow Spider

[FeynmanWannabe]

Nino Rojo and Oh Me Oh My are by far his best albums, imo. Cripple Crow is solid as well. Smokey has been getting a lot of hate, but I'm one of the few it seems who actually enjoy the album.

What are your guys' favorite songs by him? Mine's gotta be Little Yellow Spider
The Body Breaks is one of my favorite songs.

[fly_guy]

Saw this at a record store, the album artwork looked sweet so I got it and I love it now

[Melkor]

Devendra Banhart is great from what I have heard but I need to buy some more of his stuff, which this thread has reminded me to do.

[PoisonInMyVeins]

i love cripple crow, nino rojo, and rejoicing in the hands. those are my top three, but oh me oh my, smokey, and the black babies ep are still pretty decent.

[PoisonInMyVeins]

Nino Rojo and Oh Me Oh My are by far his best albums, imo. Cripple Crow is solid as well. Smokey has been getting a lot of hate, but I'm one of the few it seems who actually enjoy the album.

What are your guys' favorite songs by him? Mine's gotta be Little Yellow Spider

"at the hop" is definitely one of my favorites.

[IWasaCamera]

Cripple Crow is tops. Smokey was rather dull.

[ThemChains]

Nino Rojo contains most of my favorite songs by him. Smokey hold my interest for about 5 seconds.

[kearn1tm]

Leader of the "freak-folk" movement and a pretty darn good artist. Cripple Crow, Rejoicing In The Hands, and Nino Rojo are all solid releases. Smokey was quite a disappointment though.

I saw him a few years ago. I've only listened to Cripple Crow and Smokey. I loved the former, enjoyed the later. I'll be sure to head for Rejoicing and Nino Rojo next.

[Rodeo]

Cripple Crow is tops. Smokey was rather dull.


Definitely this.


Smokey seemed too musically bi-polar.

[IWasaCamera]

I've only listened to Cripple Crow and Smokey. I loved the former, enjoyed the later. I'll be sure to head for Rejoicing and Nino Rojo next.
Good stuff.
Definitely this.


Smokey seemed too musically bi-polar.
Felt really tame.

[bradnewman]

Amazing Artist. Bump.

[Chris Reynolds]

I've really been digging Banhart's side project with Greg Rogove, Megapuss. Feels like a Tenacious D album with all the humor in the lyrics, but musically it's actually very good, I was surprised.

[altemose09]

great artist

[fly_guy]

Devendra Banhart is so good. Album artwork is flawless too

[oddwithoutend]

New album should be coming out within a few months

Hey there misses lovely moon
You're lonely and you're blue
It's kind of strange the way you change
But then again, we all do too

[IWasaCamera]

Expectations are low.

[oddwithoutend]

Expectations are low.

Oh yeah? Why's that?

[IWasaCamera]

Smokey was quite poor and while this is merely guesswork, I suspect his next will be a stab at pop accessibility.

[oddwithoutend]

Yeah, I actually enjoyed Smokey a lot, to be honest. I hope he doesn't follow the freak-folk-to-pop trend. Just doesn't seem like him to do something like that.

[IWasaCamera]

Considering his decline from blog-buzzed folkie in 2002-2005 to near irrelevant artist now, I wouldn't be surprised if he released an incredibly glossy record in an attempt to gain new fans.

[Greek]

So glad they used Insect Eyes for The Hills Have Eyes trailer, it's what first got me interested in him.

[Robototron]

I can't even listen to this guy's music because he's sleazy as fuck in real life. He's 28 and last year he was dating (or at least fucking) a girl still in high school. He has like, the worst reputation around LA. Massive douchebag.

[DejaNew]

Yeah, I actually enjoyed Smokey a lot, to be honest. I hope he doesn't follow the freak-folk-to-pop trend. Just doesn't seem like him to do something like that.
Could be pretty cool though, I know AC isn't freak folk, but they moved on to a more poppy sound, and it turned out great for them.

[oddwithoutend]

I really hope Vinh isn't right about What Will We Be...

I'm really looking forward to it.

[oddwithoutend]

With the two songs we've heard from the upcoming LP, it seems Vinh was right. However, I do like one of the two songs.

[IWasaCamera]

Haven't heard. Will wait until release.

[cryates]

I like the new album better than the last.

[Kyle Huntington]

Considering his decline from blog-buzzed folkie in 2002-2005 to near irrelevant artist now, I wouldn't be surprised if he released an incredibly glossy record in an attempt to gain new fans.
Spot on.

[oddwithoutend]

It seems I'm one of the few people who thoroughly enjoyed Smokey...

[briewer]

What Will We Be is streaming on Stereogum:
http://stereogum.com/archives/stream_devendra_banharts_what_will_ we_be_096641.html

[oddwithoutend]

First impressions:

Album is decent. Pales in comparison to his best releases, but not a bad collection of poppier songs. The lack of thought-provoking lyrics will take away from the record's depth, but it is quite cohesive and has some success in its instrumental solos. It's not a profound record, but at least it doesn't pretend to be, either. Cool.

[IWasaCamera]

So this is quite bland.

[Rodeo]

Music for schizophrenics.

[oddwithoutend]

Yeah, so What Will We Be is quite disappointing.

[IWasaCamera]

Baby is such a horrid song. Sounds like beach bum singer-songwriter rubbish.

[HometownHero]

New album is such a fucking let down. I couldn't believe it when I heard it. Made me so sad

[oddwithoutend]

My thoughts (http://sunonthesand.net/2009/devendra-banhart-what-will-we-be/)on What Will We Be.

[oddwithoutend]

Baby is such a horrid song. Sounds like beach bum singer-songwriter rubbish.

haha Holy moly! You're so funny!

[IWasaCamera]

Thanks?

[oddwithoutend]

Thanks?

It's an annoying line from the song haha

[IWasaCamera]

Ha, I could have gone without knowing that.

[IntoTheSun]

It's an annoying line from the song haha

:-)

(You know what that means.)

[oddwithoutend]

:-)

(You know what that means.)
Nice to see you're enjoying it, Andrea. My personal favourite of his is Nino Rojo, but I like Rejoicing in the Hands, Cripple Crow, and Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon a lot, too.

[IntoTheSun]

Nice to see you're enjoying it, Andrea. My personal favourite of his is Nino Rojo, but I like Rejoicing in the Hands, Cripple Crow, and Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon a lot, too.

Ah, I followed someone elses advice and got Rejoicing in the Hands. But I guess they're all pretty decent, huh?

I did purchase Little Yellow Spider seperately though...that song makes me happy like no other.

[oddwithoutend]

Ah, I followed someone elses advice and got Rejoicing in the Hands. But I guess they're all pretty decent, huh?
You wont go wrong with that album, as it's the popular favourite. The only recommendation I'd make is to not listen to What Will We Be. Sad that he released that garbage. It's unlikely, but hopefully he'll bounce back with his next release.
I did purchase Little Yellow Spider seperately though...that song makes me happy like no other.
Such a great song.

[IntoTheSun]

You wont go wrong with that album, as it's the popular favourite. The only recommendation I'd make is to not listen to What Will We Be. Sad that he released that garbage. It's unlikely, but hopefully he'll bounce back with his next release.

That's a shame...It's sad when that happens to artists I like.

Such a great song.
One of the many reasons why you're my favorite person, Rick.

[oddwithoutend]

That's a shame...It's sad when that happens to artists I like.


One of the many reasons why you're my favorite person, Rick.
Oh gosh.

I've been in a Devendra mood for about a week now. Probably not a coincidence that I discovered him at almost exactly this time last year.

[kearn1tm]

I saw him with Castanets four years ago. I was the only sober one. He shouted "is anyone here not feeling the magic?" I raised my hand, just to be an ass. He pointed at me and screamed "narc!"

You're welcome.

[IntoTheSun]

Oh gosh.

I've been in a Devendra mood for about a week now. Probably not a coincidence that I discovered him at almost exactly this time last year.

I've tried listening to him again today and he bored me for some reason. I was rather disappointed :/

[Chromefox]

I have Cripple Crow lying in wait. Based on what you know of my tastes, would I like this album?

[oddwithoutend]

I don't hit up nearly enough concerts. ha I bet he'd be great to see live. Especially before he released What Will We Be.

[oddwithoutend]

I have Cripple Crow lying in wait. Based on what you know of my tastes, would I like this album?
hmm Based on what I know about your taste, I'd say probably not. But I may have said the same about Hospice, so what do I know. haha

[oddwithoutend]

I've tried listening to him again today and he bored me for some reason. I was rather disappointed :/
Rejoicing in the Hands?

[IntoTheSun]

Rejoicing in the Hands?

Mhm.

[Chromefox]

hmm Based on what I know about your taste, I'd say probably not. But I may have said the same about Hospice, so what do I know. haha Hahaha, I'd still check it out regardless of the response.

[oddwithoutend]

Mhm.
hmm That does surprise me a little bit, but I was bored by Cripple Crow (the first album of his I heard) upon first listen. It may take a couple spins to soak in, or maybe try Nino Rojo some time?
Hahaha, I'd still check it out regardless of the response.
Be sure to let me know what you think.

[Chromefox]

Of course.

[IntoTheSun]

hmm That does surprise me a little bit, but I was bored by Cripple Crow (the first album of his I heard) upon first listen. It may take a couple spins to soak in, or maybe try Nino Rojo some time?

Be sure to let me know what you think.

Yeah, I'll sample a few of the songs off Nino Rojo. Maybe it'll be a better starting point for me. But then again, folk type music has always been a sort of hit or miss for me.

[bradnewman]

The best parts of cripple crow is its album cover and the song "Chinese Children"

[oddwithoutend]

Yeah, I'll sample a few of the songs off Nino Rojo. Maybe it'll be a better starting point for me. But then again, folk type music has always been a sort of hit or miss for me.
I have a good feeling about Nino Rojo.

s4ssbgTSO3A&feature=related

[Chromefox]

I'm gonna jump on Cripple Crow right quick here, just finishing something else up.

[IntoTheSun]

I have a good feeling about Nino Rojo.

s4ssbgTSO3A&feature=related

Yeah you were right about me.

[Chromefox]

Three tracks in, and while this is very pleasant and soothing, I suspect that after the first 40 minutes, the remaining 34 are really going to drag on.

[oddwithoutend]

Three tracks in, and while this is very pleasant and soothing, I suspect that after the first 40 minutes, the remaining 34 are really going to drag on.
A fair response. Like I said, I became quite bored with it upon first listen, but after a few spins I found it was growing on me.

[Chromefox]

Every track thus far has been completely different though, and if that keeps up, I'll definitely sustain interest. An album of such length is daunting for anybody though. It took me a long time to digest Illinoise, so I'll probably have to work at this one before I can remember why I'd like to revisit it.

[IntoTheSun]

Nino Rojo it is!

[oddwithoutend]

Yeah you were right about me.
:-)
Nino Rojo it is!
Hope you enjoy it.

[Chromefox]

2nd to last track, and I think it's fair to summarize the album at this point.

Pleasant, but not memorable.

[IntoTheSun]

:-)
Hopefully that smiley is because of the fact that you connected it immediately to Limousine or I will shat on you.

Hope you enjoy it.

Haha, the dry dreams/wet dreams part of the song made me laugh out loud. Nino Rojo seems to have infinite more charm and playfulness.

[oddwithoutend]

Hopefully that smiley is because of the fact that you connected it immediately to Limousine or I will shat on you.If I did, does that make me your beauty supreme?
Haha, the dry dreams/wet dreams part of the song made me laugh out loud. Nino Rojo seems to have infinite more charm and playfulness.
haha Can't argue with that.

[oddwithoutend]

2nd to last track, and I think it's fair to summarize the album at this point.

Pleasant, but not memorable.
About what I thought after one spin. The thing is, I was obsessed with the song 'Little Yellow Spider', so I was intrigued enough to give Banhart more than a fair chance.

[IntoTheSun]

If I did, does that make me your beauty supreme?

haha Can't argue with that.

I love you so much. Do me a favor baby don't reply...

People who don't know what we're talking about will think I'm insane. Hopefully those come few and far inbetween.

[IntoTheSun]

Goodnight!

Leaving with this pleasant thought: O9tOXGSVfBQ

[IntoTheSun]

If I did, does that make me your beauty supreme?

haha Can't argue with that.

Basically LOVING Nino Rojo. Much more appealing than Rejoicing in The Hands.

[oddwithoutend]

Basically LOVING Nino Rojo. Much more appealing than Rejoicing in The Hands.
ha I guess we're in the minority. Any songs stand out for you?

[IntoTheSun]

ha I guess we're in the minority. Any songs stand out for you?

Wake Up Little Sparrow, Little Yellow Spider (duh), and At the Hop...which I think you showed me yesterday.

[oddwithoutend]

Wake Up Little Sparrow, Little Yellow Spider (duh), and At the Hop...which I think you showed me yesterday.
I have no qualms as long as 'Little Yellow Spider' is included.

[IntoTheSun]

I have no qualms as long as 'Little Yellow Spider' is included.

It's only my first round through though. I am, admittedly, more familiar with Little Yellow Spider than the rest at this point.

haha You seem to really enjoy songs with mention of the moon in it, don't you.

[oddwithoutend]

It's only my first round through though. I am, admittedly, more familiar with Little Yellow Spider than the rest at this point.
My friend is a bigger Banhart fan than me, and he is also in the 'Little Yellow Spider' crowd.

haha You seem to really enjoy songs with mention of the moon in it, don't you.
ha That's a good observation. Seriously though, the part about the moon is so good.