Welcome Joy by The Cave Singers
By Xtine • Nov 14th, 2009 • Category: Music Reviews
Welcome Joy by The Cave Singers
Released by Matador Records
I fell in love with Cave Singers a couple months ago but failed to get to writing the review. The reason I haven’t gotten around to writing this review is because I’ve been too busy enjoying the album to sit down and write about it. But I’ve been on my staff’s ass to get reviews done and I thought if I’m going to yell at them to get shit done, perhaps I should do the same.
I’ve been in luck two years in a row. By luck I mean that I’ve had the most perfect Autumn/Winter album dropped into in my lap without any effort on my part in searching. Last year it was Ben Weaver’s Ax In The Oak and this year it’s Cave Singer’s Welcome Joy.
Welcome Joy is definitely a more mellow album, not to be confused with the utterly sad bastardic (yes I just made the word up) music of Iron & Wine or Elliott Smith. But it leans towards the quieter side of life. Apparently risen from the ashes of Pretty Girls Make Graves (don’t think Cave Singers sound anything of the sort, they don’t) Cave Singers have gone a different route towards the folk and almost jam-like substance. I have to say I am won over by Peter Quirk’s vocals. I love the gritty vocals mixed with the almost pretty music and world-like percussion. It sounds like it wouldn’t be a great mix, but trust, it works very well.
My favorite track, “At the Cut” is one of the more steady beat, less mellow tracks. (of course this would be my favorite, hehe) – It reminds me of early Drive-by Truckers and old 70′s rock (but in a good way.) Another stand out track for me was “Jangle” I love the simplistic nature of this track. It’s a standout from the more complex whole of the album.
The best thing about Welcome Joy for me, personally, is this:
It’s November in Chicago, it’s dark by 5pm and the only time the sun really shines is for a couple hours while you’re stuck in the office. You’ve stepped of the L and all you want to do is walk home, smoke a cigarette and try to drown out the city, if for just the ten minutes it takes to get your apartment. You’re still a little surly from working a job you never thought you’d end up in and dealing with people who’s favorite artists include Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Metallica of which you’re subjected to for 8 hours a day. You pull out your mp3 player to put on something mellow, but not suicidal. Something perfect for this weather, time and place. And that for me, is Welcome Joy by Cave Singers. Is it for you?
I’m loving the song in the video, I’ll have to check the album, i’ve looking for something like you described!