The debut recording from the San Francisco band Vetiver is an eclectic mix of soft-rock and indie bluegrass. Vetiver is Andy Cabic's acoustic project, often featuring the likes of Alissa Anderson on cello and Devendra Banhart on guitar. A host of known and unknown artists fill in the blanks wherever Andy needs them, from Joanna Newsom (harp) to Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star (vocals) to Colm O'Ciosoig of My Bloody Valentine (drums).
Vetiver is the culmination of about 4 years of songwriting by Cabic and the result is a fairly predictable but enjoyable collection of soft-rock type ambient music. The playing is tight and controlled, if very bare-bones. This CD is mellow enough to enjoy on a warm summer afternoon, yet
enjoyable enough for a car-ride. Cabic has a nice voice for this type of music and is a good songwriter.
Tracks like "Los Pajaros del Rio," the upbeat "Luna Sea" and beautiful duet "Angel's Share" highlight this collection but there really isn't a bad song on the CD. Vetiver is a very good debut album for an indie-rock audience.
Article comments
1 - Anne
Vetiver has a new album out - To Find Me Gone (2006) - what do you think of it?