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 what an average voice can't do Apr 13, 2009
The songs often plod along in mid-tempo malaise. File under other decent songwriters with a so-so voice (see Jay Farrar, Beck, Will Oldham, John Darnielle, Jason Molina...). What Clem Snide might sound like without Eef Barzelay's transcendent voice, or without Conor Oberst's grainy, youthful desire. Notables: "Good Friday," "While You Were Sleeping"
 Elvis Perkins-My favorite Elvis out there Mar 19, 2009
Elvis Perkins is something else. I can't wait until he puts out more stuff. I'll buy anything he releases. There is depth, beauty, and profound lyrics on his two CDs thus far. Perkins has been through a lot, and his music shows his talent and maturity. If this is the kind of music my generation is making, then we should count ourselves lucky. Thanks, Elvis.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Folksy pop for many Oct 28, 2008
Elvis Perkins seems to have tried to create an album that everyone would enjoy. It is nice to listen to, has some of the folksy sound and lyrical tricks that Dylan brought in, and has some obvious sixties-inspired pop-songs (May Day). This probably works pretty well for those who enjoy the smooth melodies of contemporaries like Iron & Wine, Bright Eyes, Micah P. Hinson Willy Mason. The studio production clearly does not place Elvis in the lo-fi tradition of others. I am somehow surprised that people who listen to Vic Chesnutt also enjoy Elvis Perkins (as I can see on his profile page on Last.fm). I am tempted to go for two stars here, but decided to give a third for some of the bleaker, melancholy songs on which it is just Elvis and his guitar (with a bit of bass). Those are really quite enjoyable to me. He could do without a band.
He's Very Good - You Should Listen - I Said So Nov 20, 2007
Elvis Perkins has accomplished an amazing feat. He made me believe that music can be touching and personal again. I have not heard better written songs since, well, any Bob Dylan song. Now, I'm not saying that I'm ready to put him in the same category as Bob Dylan (Dylan is God). What I am saying is, he could, in the future, possibly be as great as Dylan.
This album is as personal as a bunch of songs can be. To fully understand, let me give you a little history on the man.
His dad was Academy Award nominee Anothony Perkins (Norman Bates from Psycho). His mom was a photographer named Berry Berenson. His extended family is also quite interesting (I'm not writing a biography here). Anyway, his father died of AIDS in 1992. His mother died in a plane that crashed into the World Trade Center. This is a man with a lot of stuff to write about.
Anyway, like I said, I'm not writing his biography here. I'm just saying that this is an amazing album, written by an amazing songwriter with a very sad history. Forget that, though. Forget that his parents died. This album isn't so depressing that you'll call your mom and cry about how much you wish you hadn't forgotten her birthday. It's actually very uplifting.
I'm tired of writing. I just hope you give this album a chance.
12 of 14 found the following review helpful:
 Excellent. Aug 01, 2007
We had to wait some time for his debut album that took seven years to perfect, but perfect it he did.
The tragic family history - father was Psycho Psycho (Collector's Edition) actor Anthony Perkins, who died of an Aids-related illness in 1992, while his mother died almost a decade later in the 2001 World Trade Center attacks - drapes itself over the songs without sounding too melancholy.
"While You Were Sleeping" is lullaby loveliness and during "Emile's Vietnam In The Sky" he insists "take better care of your heart".
This is the album to do just that and if you don't adore it, you didn't have a heart to start with.
Perkins is unwillling to admit his debut album is informed by some tragic pivate pivotal events. 'I don't want anyone to think that the songs are autobiographical,' he told an American journalist in March. This, unquestionably, is disingenuous: quite apart from the title itself - 9/11 was a Tuesday - "Ash Wednesday" is awash with references to loss, whether it's the anguished howl of the title track ('No one will survive Ash Wednesday alive/ No soldier, no lover, no sister, no brother') or the self-explanatory "It's a Sad World After All". "Stay if you want/ There is enough sadness for the both of us", sings Perkins, the soul of a blues crooner circa 1930 encased within the torso of a 31-year-old.
It would be perverse to avoid mention of Elvis Perkins's biography, however much the singer/songwriter might protest that it hasn't directly informed thisalbum.
"Ash Wednesday" is forged from a bleak, brittle desolation that can sometimes make these drowsily atmospheric folky songs feel top-heavy.
Still, this unashamed melancholia reaps great rewards on tracks such as "Moon Woman II" and "Emile's Vietnam In The Sky", while unexpected flavours such as the bongos, percussion and fiddles on "All The Night Without Love" and the lovely liquid chords of "The Night And The Liquor" leaven an atmosphere that can verge a bit on the oppressive.
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