reviews / 2011

HEIRLOOMS OF AUGUST - Forever The Moon

Name: HEIRLOOMS OF AUGUST – Forever The Moon
Item: Forever The Moon
Rating: 5
Author: Andrea Vascellari

2011 (Caldo verde)

folk, singer-songwriter

by Andrea Vascellari

Behind the moniker Heirlooms Of August lies Jerry Vessel, longtime bassist of Red House Painters, here making his debut as a solo songwriter, released fittingly by Caldo Verde, the label run by Mark Kozelek, which, besides Sun Kil Moon, always has interesting acts on its roster (such as Retribution Gospel Choir and Jesu); however, this release seems to owe more to old friendship than to any real artistic merit on Vessel's part. "Forever The Moon" is indeed a mediocre album, caught somewhere between Espers-style hippie folk and nostalgic songwriting, which, when it imitates Greg Weeks' band ("Anyway, Sweetness", "Ukulele Song"), fails to match its lysergic power, while when it winks at Painters fans it never reaches the old band's emotional peaks. "Marianna's Peace" is emblematic: an old-fashioned arpeggiated chanson, nicely arranged with strings and horns, that drags on pointlessly without taking the listener anywhere. The lyrics, which were the Painters' true strength, are almost laughable next to Kozelek's pen (the ones on "Annie" are embarrassing).

If Vessel were a nobody, this album could be called decent: but a comparison with his old band is inevitable, and "Forever The Moon" comes out of it badly bruised. Die-hard fans will listen to it gladly. I'd rather dust off "Old Ramon" once again.

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23/08/2011

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This article is an English translation of the original Italian text by Andrea Vascellari, published on OndaRock.it. It was translated with the help of artificial intelligence, under the editorial responsibility of OndaRock's editor-in-chief, Claudio Fabretti.

Read the original in Italian · About the English edition