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- Summary: Frequent Will Oldham collaborator (and member of The Anomoanon) Dave Heumann offers the second album of rustic rock from his own project, Arbouretum.
- Record Label: Thrill Jockey
- Genre(s): Indie, Rock
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 8 out of 12
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Mixed: 4 out of 12
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Negative: 0 out of 12
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You'd be right to uncover this one.
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UncutThis wonderful record already feels like a cult classic. [Feb 2007, p.88]
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Arbouretum's songs are visceral and elemental, a loose-feeling mix of blues, folk, tribal beats, stoner rock and jam-based influences that belies the solid songwriting and musicianship at its core.
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Over the course of the record, the resonance of the melodies gradually overrides the initially distracting phrasing, revealing a sometimes exquisite folk-rock album.
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These songs are gorgeous and the band knows how to milk the beauty for all it's worth.
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Its persistent gloominess makes it a challenge to get through, but it was never intended to be just a simple alt-country album.
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The songwriting isn’t bad, by any means... But Heumann’s big-picture lyrics—faith, truth, etc.—are as ceaselessly heavy-handed as his guitar work, giving the whole of Rites an overwrought feel, one that can border on comical depending on your mood.
Score distribution:
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Positive: 0 out of
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Mixed: 0 out of
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Negative: 0 out of