Weekly Release Spotlight: Kurt Vile
Posted on 3/28/2011
Kurt Vile
Smoke Ring For My Halo
[Matador]
Smoke Ring For My Halo
[Matador]
When I saw Kurt Vile play at Minneapolis’s Triple Rock Social Club with backing band the Violators, I was struck by how the group could make even their noisiest songs sound down to earth, almost familiar. Those noisy, drone-inspired moments are few and far between on Smoke Ring for My Halo, Vile's fourth full-length, which will no doubt be of disappointment to fans of his earlier releases, especially of his previous full-length, Childish Prodigy, which paired his folkish tendencies with the sonic experimentation of the best psych-rockers.
That the songs here hold up so well without the veil of misty production values is a testament to his prowess as a composer and performer. Make no mistake about it: Smoke Ring is all about the songs. All ten (plus a minute-long coda) sound like they were designed with radio play in mind. According to Vile, “Puppet to the Man” and “Society Is My Friend” took the most time to record in the studio, and it’s easy to hear why: they’re the most layered, rocking songs he has ever done. Early single “In My Time” sounds even better on a proper album than it did on its own. He truly has crafted a cohesive experience here. Lyrically, it’s also his strongest album to date. Opener “Baby’s Arms” and the confessional “Peeping Tomboy” are two examples of the simple but powerful quality of Vile’s lyrics.
Despite their personal nature, they speak to you the way Vile’s favorite ‘60s and ‘70s troubadours did in their heyday. Far from rehashing the best of Young and Springsteen, however, he must be commended for attempting to update the American dream for a new generation. When he succeeds, there are few musicians around who can top him.
That the songs here hold up so well without the veil of misty production values is a testament to his prowess as a composer and performer. Make no mistake about it: Smoke Ring is all about the songs. All ten (plus a minute-long coda) sound like they were designed with radio play in mind. According to Vile, “Puppet to the Man” and “Society Is My Friend” took the most time to record in the studio, and it’s easy to hear why: they’re the most layered, rocking songs he has ever done. Early single “In My Time” sounds even better on a proper album than it did on its own. He truly has crafted a cohesive experience here. Lyrically, it’s also his strongest album to date. Opener “Baby’s Arms” and the confessional “Peeping Tomboy” are two examples of the simple but powerful quality of Vile’s lyrics.
Despite their personal nature, they speak to you the way Vile’s favorite ‘60s and ‘70s troubadours did in their heyday. Far from rehashing the best of Young and Springsteen, however, he must be commended for attempting to update the American dream for a new generation. When he succeeds, there are few musicians around who can top him.
Stream: Kurt Vile - "Jesus Fever"