Sun kil moon

 

Following the painters split his latest project, Sun Kil Moon, obviously retained some of elements of the old band, but the songs seemed a lot more whimsical. Still generally well-written, highly autobiographical and intimate, but somehow more sanitised or commercially viable, with a templated feel to them. This was a shame, but I still enjoyed listening to them albeit less often. 

 

Among The Leaves, however, has me completely stumped. I just don't see the point of releasing an album with the recurring theme of how much our Mark hates releasing an album, songwriting and all of the aspects of life that his position extends to him (the stresses of touring, unattractive fans, shitty gigs in shitty towns, etc.) Why not just NOT write the album in the first place!? Just give it up if it upsets you that much mate. You may want to try acting again, or PC repair.

 

There are one or two standout tracks on the album that fall into the category of not-bitching-about-stardom: 'King Fish', which has a lovely, crunchy guitar riff (the only one present on the whole album) and the quintessential story of his late San Franciscan guitar repairman in 'Song for Richard Collopy'. But it's the two-part, over-ten minute long diatribe of Europe in "UK Blues" that confuses me the most. "...Turned on the TV there was rioting and stuff, as if this city wasn't depressing enough. London london it's all the rage if your favourite colour's beige... London London, look right look left, makes me think of death" . We're treated to the mental image of him contemplating suicide in a lonely hotel room, then he begins his rants about Denmark, Finland and Bristol, to name but a few - but it's not over by a long stretch, oh no... as you see there's a LIVE version on the end of the album with 'canned' laughter all over it. So this is it now is it Mark? You've reinvented yourself as a 'Novelty folk cabaret act'. Nice one mate, I'm so fucking proud.