Weekly Release Spotlight: Bonnie "Prince" Billy

Posted on 6/01/2008

Bonnie "Prince" Billy

Lie Down In The Light

[Drag City]

Does a man makes his disposition or does a disposition make its man? Gathering first impressions of Will Oldham's newest offering as the artist Bonnie "Prince" Billy tends to suggest that the stark and dusky moods that fill the folk songs of his past have identified the musician himself as a stark and dusky individual. Thus, a sunnier and breezier Oldham freaks his listeners out. The freak outs have been largely positive, however, like a fancily wrapped gift from your pessimistic but reliable grandpa who usually gives you a check every Christmas. Those checks were always helpful and very indicative of your grandpa's personality, but this present is just something out of this world - it's like he's a brand new person, even though his demeanor remains the same during the holiday meal.

Like a grumpy grandpa's complaining though, no one ever fell in love with Oldham simply because his music had a darker tinge to it than most folk music of the late-90s indie variety. They fell in love with the lullaby melodies, the hushed vocals, and the intricate arrangements. All of these beloved elements are still ever present in Lie Down, just amped up and ready for a lazy boat ride in the middle of a 90-degree day rather than muffled down and ready for a secret boat ride in the middle of a foggy night. Nothing to be shocked or up in arms about, either positively or negatively, because no matter what, Oldham and his music have always been about quiet solitude and reflection - not instant emotion.

Whether he communicates it with only a guitar or with an arsenal of playful instruments is irrelevant. "For Every Field There's a Mole" comes off subtle and low-key, but implements a whispering Rhodes piano cuddled up in the right channel and a clever clarinet responding to the second verse. The title track's somber piano and graceful plucking recalls the essentials-only practice Oldham has so often demonstrated, but his hesitant vocals are layered and smoothed over. This compromising between the familiar and the big brightness occurs throughout; at least until the album’s denouement "I'll Be Glad" has the last word. With a sprinkle of tambourine and gospel backing vocals, he proclaims with what must be a smile on his face,"wherever you go, you'll always have me around." Yes, Grandpa Oldham, we know - and we're oh so lucky for it.

Written by Chris Polley, Radio K volunteer and host of Now Like Photographs.