Kurt Vile: Smoke Ring For My Halo (CD on Matador Records)

Band: Kurt Vile
Label: Matador Records
Title: Smoke Ring For My Halo

Review (1)	Release Details	Add Release	Releases (2)	Articles (0)
Cover Art (1)	Versions (0)	Edit Release	Releases List (2)	Reviews (2)
Pictures (0)			Summary (0)	Related (0)
			Jukebox (1)	List All (2)

Band:Kurt Vile
Title:Smoke Ring For My Halo
Reviewed By:Carl Bookstein
Date Published:02/03/2011

Label:Matador Records
Format:CD
Release Year:2011
Lookup:

Capturing images from packed suitcases to raindrops falling in a ghost town, Kurt Vile on his latest album creates a tangible visceral world. Vile is a compelling singer songwriter, aware of influences, yet with a signature sound all his own. Born on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Vile now releases his fourth album 'Smoke Ring For My Halo'on Matador Records. The results are positively addictive.

'Baby’s Arms' begins with lovely guitar strumming and Vile’s soothing voice. He brings to mind a young Leonard Cohen or even Nick Drake. The tune is hypnotic: “I will never ever be alone because it’s all in my baby’s hands/ Except for her there aint nothing to latch on to.” Vile starts the album striking the perfect chord with this heartfelt and eloquent love song.

'Jesus Fever' is melodic and catchy. The lyrics fascinate: "When I’m a ghost, I see no reason to run/And I’m already gone.”

Vile’s sound at times takes on a warm hazy drug-like quality that brings to mind an audible trace of the Velvet Underground.

Kurt Vile is a talented minstrel with a guitar strum and a voice that draws you in. The sound of 'On Tour' hits home with the comfort of a musical armchair, as the tune takes on an autobiographical note: “I got it made most of the time.”

The eerie 'Society Is My Friend' features a poignant biting image that repeats like an Indian mantra: “Society is my friend/It makes me lie down in a cold blood bath.”

'Runner Ups' is another strong number by this worthy troubadour whose melodies and lyrics are so well woven. The song finds the singer content with life: “I got everything I need now/That’s fine.”

The title track 'Smoke Ring For My Halo' is beautiful, folky and evocative, featuring Vile as a kind of hip guru singing “Pacify the land.”

'Ghost Town' is a mesmerizing closer conjuring 1960s and 1970s influences and capturing images of both sleepwalking and driving around in a ghost town. Against this backdrop, Vile takes a foray into exploring religion: “Christ was born/I was there/You know me/I’m around/Christ was here/You just missed him.”

Lyrically intriguing and melodically masterful- Kurt Vile is a magnetic artist for whom I am sure that more great accomplishments await.

Track Listing:

01) Baby's Arms
02) Jesus Fever
03) Puppet To The Man
04) On Tour
05) Society Is My Friend
06) Runner Ups
07) In My Time
08) Peeping Tomboy
09) Smoke Ring For My Halo
10) Ghost Town
11) Untitled

First Previous Next Last

Commenting On: Smoke Ring For My Halo by Kurt Vile

Header

Comment:

Your Name

Your Location ie London, England

tick box before submitting comment

First Previous Next Last

Related Bands (edit)

Related Labels
Matador Records

Review Header

Masterful and addictive fourth album from magnetic Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter, Kurt Vile

Articles A-Z
View All				A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K
L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z

Smoke Ring For My Halo - CD
Masterful and addictive fourth album from magnetic Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter, Kurt Vile

Childish Prodigy - CD
Excellent third album of distorted rock from Philadelphian genius singer-songwriter Kurt Vile, whose seeming amateurish exuberance does not conceal his ability to write a sharp tune

First Previous Next

Reviews A-Z
View All				A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K
L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z