The Letting Go

Spin (p.94) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[The songs] flirt with familiar forms -- from straight-up blues to achy, winsome country ballads....Proving that well-worn ingredients often yield novel and beautiful results." Entertainment Weekly (p.95) - "Here he returns to more familiar territory, strumming spare elegies on acoustic guitar. His warmth is complemented by chilly accents..." -- Grade: B+ Uncut (p.102) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he most immediately striking thing is the effect of the string arrangements, which add an extra layer of haunting mystery." Uncut (p.83) - "[McCarthy is] a suitable banshee-like foil on one of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's most intimate records." The Wire (p.49) - "Prince Billy is more stylistically adventurous than usual here....Even Oldham's most romantic songs are flavoured with a carnal aftertaste. THE LETTING GO is singed with intimacy." CMJ (p.47) - "The orchestral backings nicely fill the sparse acoustic tunes, and Dawn McCarthy's vocals blend well with Oldham's." Dirty Linen (p.85) - "The warbling vocals have a poignant, vulnerable quality while much of the music sounds eerily haunting." No Depression (p.102) - "[T]here's a disarmingly endearing sense that he's found great sweetness in it all." Mojo (Publisher) (p.102) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[With] expansive arrangements and glowing melodies....Wherever it ultimately sits in the Oldham canon, THE LETTING GO -- introspective, yet as tender and universal as a lover's embrace -- is a fine addition."

トータスとの共演盤も話題を呼んだ米国の至宝とも言えるシンガー・ソングライター＝ボニー“プリンス”ビリーから、単独作としては3年ぶりとなるニュー・アルバムが届けられた。実弟のポールやダーティ・スリーのメンバーを迎えてアイスランドで録音されたという本作は、流麗なストリングスや清らかな女性コーラスが、例の渋味のある枯れた哀愁フォーキー・ソングに澄んだ潤いを与えていて実に美しい。沁みすぎには要注意!
bounce (C)田中 幹也