Louis Jucker - The Black Lake

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 4 / 5 / 2015

Label: Hummus Records
Format: CD

Splendid reissue of Swiss musician Louis Jucker's lo-fi and delicate 2013 album, which, recorded in the backwoods in Canada, was originally was put out on cassette only and has been re-released on CD for this new edition

Review

'The Black Lake' takes Louis Jucker deep into the woods in Canada as he goes on a dark yet spirited trip to John Fahey's, whilst ever so gently indulging in Badly Drawn Boy's ethics. He surfs on snares as echoing hauntingly beautiful, and rather gothic, harmonies are mixed in with spicy electronic samples. Each of the eight tracks consists of snappy nu-folktronica tunes, each one striving for a higher standard in delicacy. At times, you can hear flaws on the tape recording, hence this review reflects on the cassette tape's re-release on compact disc. Never spoiling the moment, these eight tracks range from the frisk and brisk opening track 'A Private Note to the Winter Ghost' to the un-jangling 'Tambourine' at the close of the album. This splendid re-issue pays tribute to a forgotten little masterpiece.

Track Listing:-

1 A Private Note to the Winter Ghost
2 The Black Lake
3 Story-Tellers
4 Three Little Steps in the Dark
5 My Best Friend Is a Tiger
6 Six Deers on Our Way Home
7 Don't Make up Monsters
8 Tambourines