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***Vetiver grows in a "less is more" chaparral where simplicity offers ample room to wander. Strongly fertilized by traditional acoustic music, and more subtly cross-pollinated by the sparseness of "minimalism," with its bare suggestions of melodies that the listener fills in for himself, Vetiver gracefully navigates folk and pop savannas with ease. Chief songwriter Andy Cabic grew up in northern Virginia and spent a few years in Greensboro, North Carolina, playing guitar and writing music as a member of the Raymond Brake, whose 1995 full-length, Piles of Dirty Winters (Simple Machines), melded experimental rock sensibilities with bright melodic touches of classic pop. After moving to San Francisco, Cabic enlisted violinist Jim Gaylord and cellist Alissa Anderson, along with Young God recording artist and troubadour du jour Devendra Banhart, who shares co-writing credits on "Los Pajaros del Rio" and "Amour Fou" and contributes guitar and vocals to the album. Anderson made the near-random acquaintance of My Bloody Valentine's Colm O'Ciosoig, and he ended up playing drums on "Luna Sea" and "On a Nerve," which brought along with it vocals on "Angels' Share" courtesy of Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval. "Amerilie" features the harp-playing of Joanna Newsom, Craig Koozer plays bass on "Amour Fou," and Nick Holdzkom piano on "Luna Sea." The album was recorded whenever and where ever possible-- including various living rooms throughout the Bay Area-- by Thom Monahan, who squeezed in production duties around Pernice Bros. tour obligations, sometimes working on mixes on his laptop and sending them to Cabic from the road. Like the tall, narrow grass that is its namesake, Vetiver is fragile sounding but strong, densely layered with melody, texture, and rhythm yet uncluttered.... Andy Cabic's wistful tones at times remind one of Nick Drake, hobo folk, and even Cat Stevens as they meander along the dusty road of Americana. -- SF Bay Guardian Vetiver's MySpace page. |
