J. TILLMAN | SINGING AX
Right on heels of an EP and 09’s Year in the Kingdom, J. Tillman (drums, Fleet Foxes) is back again with his signature sparse, lo-fi soundscapes on Singing Ax. His seventh album is filled with beautifully nuanced storytelling, soft vocals, and the simple instrumentation of a lone acoustic guitar and strategically placed ambient sounds. Tillman may be prolific, but he has yet to move beyond the boundaries of the genre he has mastered, although the fact that he eschews instruments that he has used on past releases (banjo, harmonica and dulcimer) for a single guitar indicates a move toward one end of the folk continuum – a singing ax indeed. Standout tracks include “One Task” and the upbeat “Tillman’s Rag.” Singing Ax is more of the same, but when the bar is as high as Tillman sets it, we’ll keep listening. – Written by JFelton
posted by JFelton, October 28, 2010
J. TILLMAN | YEAR IN THE KINGDOM
J. Tillman’s second release of 2009 and his seventh studio album since 05, Year in the Kingdom is another gorgeous, ethereal folk album recorded over a two week session in April. The gentle songs on Year in the Kingdom contain dusty flourishes of atmospheric sounds with guitar, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, banjo, recorder, cymbals and wheezing air organs. Year in the Kingdom lures listeners in with heart on his sleeve emotions delivered with honesty and conviction.
SIMILAR | Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Great Lake Swimmers, The Low Anthem, Shearwater
posted by JFelton, August 17, 2009
J TILLMAN | VACILANDO TERRITORY BLUES
WESTERN VINYL
Josh Tillman has quietly released sad, beautiful records for the better part of the last five years. His songs capture emotional and languid everyday moments. As with previous efforts, Tillman’s fifth album, Vacilando Territory Blues, focuses on a single style and mood. While a solo venture, this is Tillman’s most collaborative project to date, employing some of his band mates from the Fleet Foxes. The spare arrangements and storytelling lend comparisons to Nick Drake and Will Oldham – two artists that are nothing to shake a stick at.
posted by JFelton, February 4, 2009
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