Seems like a lifetime ago that The Cave Singers sent the waves riding with the classic ‘Dancing on our Graves’. Naomi is their fourth album and just as the light breaks through the dark and foreboding clouds on their album cover so this release announces a new sound: brighter and more soulful. It’s chock full of great infectious bass lines and grooves courtesy of new family member Morgan Henderson (Blood Brothers, Fleet Foxes). Vintage influences bubble to the surface to get the Seattle mystics treatment which they carry off with an original and modern twist, a well-rounded and welcome release.
The lighter feel of this album is threaded with an optimism, this is music made in the sun…a far cry from the darker shadow of ‘No Witch’ (2011). African guitar influences offer a joyful edge on the likes of ‘No Tomorrow‘ whilst they shift into vintage territory on ‘It’s a Crime‘..a modern day ragged edged Credence Clearwater Revival. Themes of “addiction, car ownership, fireworks, tree houses, moving to New Mexico, and God” offer a balance of that which is difficult and beautiful in life.
On the porch with Morgan Henderson
So who is Naomi? “Naomi is the farthest star just within sight. The tiniest shell, that though broken, remains whole. A fictional muse, who sleeps it off on your couch with her shoes still on. A holy waitress of the cosmos. A miracle, a change, a rekindled sinner who paints all his neighbor’s homes for free. A breath, a beat of the heart. A love.”
This will be getting plenty of airplay, everything just clicks into place; along with Phil Ek at the production wheel (Fleet Foxes, Built To Spill, Shins, Modest Mouse) this is by far their best release to date.
The Cave Singers – Naomi (Full Stream)
Naomi is released on Jagjaguwar March 4th 2013
