Devendra Banhart – Mala – (Nonesuch) – Album Review

By No More Workhorse on April 2, 2013 • ( 1 Comment )

Devendra is something of a throw back, and I doubt he’d argue it. His music definitely sounds like it’s from another decade, but there is something warm and rich about what he does, that really captures a mood and is quite special.

This is his 7th/ 8th album to date, depending on whether you count some of the home recordings, and they have been quite varied in sound and production, but carry a similar vibe in all. This album is one of his most slow and languid, and something you can’t help but nod along to. It could well be the album of a long hot summer that we hope to have!

The vocals are so high in the mix, he sounds like he is whispering at times. The instruments vary from sounding eastern at times, to very much South American in songs such as ‘Mi Negrita’ which could be a lost track from a 70’s western . There are even moments of keyboard electronica on ‘Won’t you come over’.

The lyrics are playful and constantly much you chuckle, as can be seen from the lines from ‘Fine Petting Duck’.

‘If he makes you cry a lot, please remember with me you never stopped’

‘if he ever was untrue, please remember I was too (and so much more so)’

‘If we ever make sweet love again, I’m sure it will be quite disgusting’ he sings in ‘Never seen such good things’.

This is certainly up there with Devendra’s best work and comes heavily recommended. I fell in love with ‘Cripple Crow’ shortly after it was released, and was slightly disappointed with the next couple ‘Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon’ and ‘What will we be’. This is a considerable step in the right direction and one I imagine I’ll be listening to in several years time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1SO5GnaDSE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52kAR5cpwLw

Devendra Banhart plays the Button Factory, Dublin on June 26th. I saw him last time he played in the Village, and it was a lovely night of music, so I’d heartily recommend it.

01. “Golden Girls” – 1:35
02. “Daniel” – 3:05
03. “Für Hildegard von Bingen” – 2:35
04. “Never Seen Such Good Things” – 3:13
05. “Mi Negrita” – 3:24
06. “Your Fine Petting Duck” – 5:46
07. “The Ballad of Keenan Milton” – 2:12
08. “A Gain” – 1:35
09. “Won’t You Come Over” – 3:35
10. “Cristobal Risquez” – 2:28
11. “Hatchet Wound” – 3:08
12. “Mala” – 1:08
13. “Won’t You Come Home” – 3:31
14. “Taurobolium” – 3:16
15. “Something French” (LP-Only Bonus Track) – 2:57
16. “Loring Baker” (LP-Only Bonus Track) – 2:25