The Kallikak FamilyMay 23rd 2007
(Tell-All Records, 2005)
It’s fitting and probably more than a little telling that the first review I posted for Forest Gospel was for May 23rd 2007 by The Kallikak Family. To this day I am still more enchanted by this series of recordings than any other that I have listened to. That’s a pretty hefty claim to place on the shoulders of such an obscure album, but it’s the truth. Andrew Peterson’s (aka The Kallikak Family) way of weaving together disparate instrumentation that is alternately industrial and pastoral just hits me in all the right ways. Additionally, the sequencing of the album is Perfection with a capital P. While May 23rd 2007 contains many pockets of vocal crooning, there are no lyrics to speak of. Yet, even with that being the case, the album’s musical quality does more to develop a narrative than anything I’ve ever heard from “literate” bands like The Decemberists. What The Kallikak Family has created here is simultaneously epic and cuttingly personal. For me, it is the most magnificent document of sound put to tape in this decade and I do not make that claim lightly.
-Thistle
4 comments:
It's so nice to see a list full of albums I've not heard! Some great choices in too! I can't wait to check out the ones I haven't heard yet! Thanks!
Mark
http://markwilliamwales.blogspot.com/
I'm stunned that the #1 is a record from a band I'd never even heard of before. That's so exciting. Can't wait to find it and give it a listen.
A lot of music to discover.
Grand merci.
Great List. I'll be checking this band out and many others. Since you have great taste, I want to plug for two albums that you didn't mention that you may or may not know. First, Hurtbreak Wonderland by World's End Girlfriend. My favorite album of the decade, probably my favorite album ever. Also, I have a feeling you'd enjoy the Hotel Alexis' The Shining Example is laying on the Floor.
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