RECORDED in darkest Texas, this is an album reminiscent of the great Leonard Cohen. Smog, aka Bill Callahan, is a fine understated lyricist and arranger, whose mood of pathos and melancholy rumination is sustained throughout.
He has a high standing among depressives but, while the rustic feel gives a touch of autumn, Callahan's warm tone is a wonderful restorative.
It feels like being wrapped in a rain shower. Traditional songs such as In The Pines are chilly but lack the necessary bleakness, but Rock Bottom Riser fares much better where self esteem is shot through by redemption.
The Well displays an attractive talking blues style, now obsolete, but once popularised by the likes of Rambling Jack Elliott.
Updated: 16:38 Wednesday, June 15, 2005
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