Drag City
Released: 08.29.06
Under any moniker, Will Oldham has being blowing my mind off and on for the past decade. Primarily it's always been about the lyrics for me. Whether he' s singing about fucking a mountain, being a cinematographer, or Florida's beaches, his perspective has been surprising and inspiring. The Letting Go achieves something that the other albums haven't done consistently; the music finally feels as beautiful as the words. The various instruments work harmoniously. Drums will enter from the backdoor and patiently wait their turn. Glittering keyboard will appear for a minute, do its job, and retire at just the right moment.
From the beginning, The Letting Go asserts itself as something different. The orchestral swell of "Love Comes to Me" gives way to a thoughtful acoustic strum supported by subtle cello and violin. Dawn McCarthy's (of Faun Fables) helps push Oldham's words into the ethereal world he's always shown emotionally but fallen short of aurally. "Big Friday"'s guitar plucking and slides give off a mature buzz. The musical patience is almost a defiance of youthful thoughtlessness, and as the next track, "Lay and Love," comes in, it's obvious that maturity doesn't negate experimentation. If anything, Oldham has reached a place that allows playfulness that really works.
While McCarthy's vocals add much to the music, sometimes they fog over Oldham's. This is a minor offense, and it's easy to see how it was made. With a voice as beautiful as hers, how could you not use it at every opportunity? Her Celtic charm lures you into a dreamy state, but afterwards I wondered if maybe the album's overall effect would have been better if she 'd been left off in a couple of places. Not that any one place would be obvious for omission, but the only song that she doesn't seem to dominate vocally is "Cold & Wet," one of the album's weakest moments. The fragility of Oldham's voice has always been key to the songs. It's the voice of someone who's seen a lot, and while he's gotten a little tired, he has the strength to keep going. McCarthy's compromises that a little, but it's none-the-less amazing. Given time to clear out some nostalgia for his older songs, I wouldn't be surprised if The Letting Go becomes one of my favorite albums by someone that I've always thought of as a phenomenal songwriter.
- Matt Thompson
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