Album Review: Bonnie ‘Prince Billy’- Lie Down In The Light

Another year, another album from Will Oldham. This guy is starting to freak me out with his consistency. Lie Down In The Light is certainly a summer record. From the first stanza it is clear that the bearded one has moved on from the dense, and sometimes somber atmosphere of his 2006 release The Letting Go. The playful, light hearted nature of this album hearkens more to the mentality of 2001’s Ease Down The Road, but differentiates itself with starkly diverse instrumentation and song structure.

Right off the bat, Easy Does It sets the tone of the album by evoking themes of love and family. The feel of the album is decidedly more traditional and accessible than perhaps ever before in his career. The production is slick, and his backing band is right on the money providing Nashville staples such as steel guitar and backup harmonizing vocals from the likes of Ashley Webber.

There is nothing revolutionary about this album, and it is hardly a departure for Oldham, but it is so warm and inviting its impossible to scoff at. The ticket to success here is how natural and casual it sounds. It is more akin to a live album than a studio recording. It would not be a stretch to imagine hearing a performence of Lie Down In The Light on something like A Prairie Home Companion, as Oldham has tapped into that particular brand of Americana with this release. This is not the dark and scary Bonnie Prince, it is the homespun one with a large beard and comfy sweater sipping tea on the porch. So sit back and relax and enjoy the down home feel of Lie Down In The Light, thats what its made for.

New Beck Track: Chemtrails

Beck is very sneaky, like a top secret recording ninja. We knew he was up to something with Danger Mouse in the studio. Now it has been revealed that the project is an album slated to be released this summer called Modern Guilt

Recently, like the sneaky ninja that he is, Beck has quietly put a song from the upcoming LP called Chem Trails on his website. It displays something that the rehashed nostalgia and casual nob turning of The Information have not brought to the table: a fresh side of the enigma that is Beck. This track sounds new and vital, resounding speakers with affecting layers of production while Beck’s signature croon dances about. He sounds confused and lost, but at least he is searching for something again. Check out the new track HERE