Frankis
03/29/09, 01:29 PM
Jolie Holland - The Living and the Dead
Record Label: Anti Records
Release Date: October 7, 2008
Who?
Jolie Holland is a talented singer/songwriter spending time between Texas and New York, recording her own brand of folk/alt-country with some of the greatest talent imaginable. Her third studio album, The Living and the Dead, features the work of M. Ward and Marc Ribot on guitar to back up her already impressive repertoire. There is no doubt that this was a highly anticipated follow-up to her earlier works, for which Tom Waits and Sage Francis sang praises. Holland's music works to fuse together the genres which have influenced her and brought her to be, from folk to jazz to traditional country. Her musical style is truly her own.
How is it?
The Living and the Dead starts strong with "Mexico City," introducing the tone and nature of the album. Following even stronger is my personal favorite, "Corrido Por Buddy," is a narrative of a friend made unrecognizable by the depths of addiction. The track speaks simply yet powerfully, as Holland spills her own regrets over a lost friend in a truly moving piece. Other standout tracks include "Your Big Hands," embracing distorted twang, and "Enjoy Yourself," which closes the album out with a lighthearted track in which the listener is let in on the mood during recording. The album does host several tracks that take longer to grow on the listener, usually due to a choice by Holland to try something different vocally. As long as she sticks to the style she has developed for herself, fans will not be disappointed with the albums that are sure to follow up The Living and the Dead.
Sage Francis; Bonnie 'Prince' Billy; Tom Waits
jolieholland.com (http://www.jolieholland.com)
myspace.com/jolieholland (http://www.myspace.com/jolieholland)
Record Label: Anti Records
Release Date: October 7, 2008
Who?
Jolie Holland is a talented singer/songwriter spending time between Texas and New York, recording her own brand of folk/alt-country with some of the greatest talent imaginable. Her third studio album, The Living and the Dead, features the work of M. Ward and Marc Ribot on guitar to back up her already impressive repertoire. There is no doubt that this was a highly anticipated follow-up to her earlier works, for which Tom Waits and Sage Francis sang praises. Holland's music works to fuse together the genres which have influenced her and brought her to be, from folk to jazz to traditional country. Her musical style is truly her own.
How is it?
The Living and the Dead starts strong with "Mexico City," introducing the tone and nature of the album. Following even stronger is my personal favorite, "Corrido Por Buddy," is a narrative of a friend made unrecognizable by the depths of addiction. The track speaks simply yet powerfully, as Holland spills her own regrets over a lost friend in a truly moving piece. Other standout tracks include "Your Big Hands," embracing distorted twang, and "Enjoy Yourself," which closes the album out with a lighthearted track in which the listener is let in on the mood during recording. The album does host several tracks that take longer to grow on the listener, usually due to a choice by Holland to try something different vocally. As long as she sticks to the style she has developed for herself, fans will not be disappointed with the albums that are sure to follow up The Living and the Dead.
Sage Francis; Bonnie 'Prince' Billy; Tom Waits
jolieholland.com (http://www.jolieholland.com)
myspace.com/jolieholland (http://www.myspace.com/jolieholland)