Smog - A River Ain't Too Much To Love
by Geraint Jones
published: 19 / 4 / 2005
Label:
Domino Records
Format: CD
intro
Lyrically engaging latest album from Bill Callahan aka Smog, which deserves to be regarded as one of the his best
Lyrically engaging from the outset, Bill Callahan’s confessional, more spoken than sung vocals, by turns mournful, deadpan and self-deprecating, never fail to connect. On 'A River Ain’t Too Much To Love', Smog’s umpteenth album since their initial cassette-only forays in t'he late 80s, they have crafted some of their best work to date. Superbly recorded at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio in Texas, the intimate, simple arrangements – essentially guitar, piano, violin and drums, envelop and entrance, Callahan’s distinctive vocals and phrasing reeling you in as if it’s you alone that he is singing to. And that’s a rare quality. His often dark, thought provoking and occasionally humorous worldview further draws you into his captivating songs. Not an album to put on in the background; find quality time to spend with it and you’ll be handsomely rewarded. A sombre understated gem that deserves to be regarded as one of Smog’s best.
Track Listing:-
1 Palimpsest2 Say Valley Maker
3 The Well
4 Rock Bottom Riser
5 I Feel Like The Mother Of The World
6 In The Pines
7 Drinking At The Dam
8 Running The Loping
9 I'm New Here
10 Let Me See The Colts
Label Links:-
http://www.dominorecordco.com/https://www.facebook.com/DominoRecordCo
https://twitter.com/DominoRecordCo
https://www.youtube.com/user/DominoRecords
https://plus.google.com/+DominoRecords
live reviews |
|
Conway Hall, London, 19/9/2004 |
|
| Smog aka Bill Callahan has never been on record the happiest of musicians. On the second night of the two day Homefires festival, and supported by the likes of Adem and Joanna Newsom, Dominic Simpson finds him on gloomy, but also confusing form |
reviews |
|
Rock Bottom Riser (2006) |
|
| Unsettling, but remarkable Americana on latest four song EP from Smog, the moniker for Texan-based musician Bill Callahan |
| Rain On Lens (2001) |
most viewed articles
current edition
John McKay - InterviewCathode Ray - Interview
Robert Forster - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Spear Of Destiny - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Chris Wade - Interview
Shrag - Huw Stephens Session 08.12.10 and Marc Riley Session 21.03.12
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleVinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Little Simz - Lotus
HAIM - I Quit
Pulp - More
Lapsley - I'm a Hurricane, I'm a Woman In Love
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart