Summer soundtrack
Whoah. I did not expect to be this impressed, or smitten, with a Sun Kil Moon release. I loved Ghosts of the Great Highway, but April is a step away from Ghosts, somehow more mysterious and ethereal. I can't stop playing this CD. "Tonight in Bilbao" (both versions) is unusually beautiful. "Moorestown" actually gets me a little teary. I find most acoustic guitar music bland and same-old same-old, but I love the slightly unpredictable structures to the songs on April.

Wistful, sentimental, mellow, but way too hearty and complex to call "easy listening," April is perfect music for lazy summer days. The bonus CD alone is worth the price.

kozelek is in a rut
sun kil moon is simply an extension of mark kozelek and RHP. he writes, sings and produces everything. there are side musicians, but i dare you to point out a track they play a major role on.

for those who saw kozelek tour the 'tiny cities' cd in 2006-7 with phil carney, you will not be surprised. kozelek created soundscapes with the 2 guitars and actually previewed a couple tracks [i remember 'the light' was one]. the sound was awesome for the first 3-4 songs, ok for the next 3-4 and then got annoying. they were too 'samey' sounding, and took focus away from some admittingly excellent lyrics.

the same holds true here. outside of 'tonight the sky', most melodies are completely interchangeable and in the end, forgettable. unlike some previous releases [ocean beach and old ramon come to mind] there is little tempo or format change to the selections. even the bonus disc changes little. electric versions of some of the tunes would have helped

a mature masterpiece
This is Kozelek how we always knew he could sound.

The music is floating, down to earth and with a lot of presence.

Even the long pieces are very much to the point.

Duet with Bonnie Prince Billy is very much amazing.

This is a thrilling and captivating record.

Another gem from Mr. Kozelek
Quite simply one of the finest American albums of the past few years, well at least since 'Ghosts of the Great Highway". Worth the price for the hauntingly beautiful opening track (Lost Verses) alone. Hypnotic.

I'll rewrite this in 11 years
"Lost Verses" cribs its melody equally from the Allman Brothers Band's "Melissa" and Bread's "Make It With You". That's not a good sign no matter how you slice it. But it's still a potent album.