By the end of 1973's Closing Time Waits had all but dispensed with any recognisable elements of his earlier folk-blues sound. While there is still plenty of theatrical junkyard poetry evident, on Mule Variations Waits got rootsy enough to win a folk Grammy. Brilliant eccentrics are to be savoured, regardless of how one wishes to categorise them.
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Rabbit Songs Hem 2001 [Bar/None]
Lush orchestration doesn't usually work on folk records, but the occasional foray sounds a perfect fit here. Vocalist Sally Ellyson's professional debut is a joy to behold, while songwriter/co-producer Dan Messé's personal sacrifices in investing in real musicians rather than studio gimmickry certainly seem to have paid off. Topnotch.
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Sea Change Beck 2002 [Geffen/Interscope]
The album that followed Beck's "vaguely-folkish alterna-rock" guest spot on animated sci-fi parody Futurama. Sea Change is a catalogue of despair that makes Nick Drake look like a goodtime party guy. 'Lonesome Tears', 'Lost Cause', 'Round the Bend', 'Already Dead'… yeah, this is a real downer man. But what a beautiful downer it is.
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Transfiguration of Vincent M Ward 2003 [Merge]
Deriving its title from a John Fahey album, Ward combines some incisive songwriting with his skilful Indie folk/blues guitar playing. The album is a homage to a lost friend and, as such, the subject matter is sometimes dark. A handful of junkyard arrangements, however, prevents any permanent downers. Artist on the way up.
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Veneer José González 2003 [Imperial/Peacefrog]
Born and bred in Sweden to Argentine parents, after hearing Veneer it is no surprise to find that González is a big hit in his homeland. Consisting of gentle acoustic indie vignettes this record shimmers in the simplicity of its own beauty. Obvious comparisons to early Elliott Smith aside, Veneer certainly manages to stand on its own merits.
Spaghetti-western folk with a touch of old Mexico. Calexico plays a brand of experimental indie Americana that will surprise some and delight most. Bouncing and blending electronica, acoustic folk, mariachi and even jazz - sometimes one gets the feeling of nomadic rambling across the open desert. Fortunately, the well is anything but dry.
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Escondida Jolie Holland 2004 [Anti]
Quirky Texan country/folk musician who has won a big fan in Tom Waits - and that's no mean feat. A former member of the Be Good Tanyas, Holland's second album adds a bit of jazz and jive to the mix with outstanding results. Her considerable songwriting talents even manages to make the old timey music modern and relevant.
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Rock That Babe The Mammals 2004 [Signature]
It's hard not to like a band whose motto is "Trad is Rad" and features a Nicaraguan banjo player with an activist heritage who is grandson to Pete Seeger. With credentials like that it is not surprising to find everything from traditional Appalachian folk to Compay Segundo… and even some Allen Ginsberg put to music. It all works remarkably well.
