Devendra Banhart
'Oh me, oh my…"
Young God Records/2002

After a recent and careful listen to Devendra Banhart's debut, immediately followed by a re-spin of Doug Martsch's solo effort, something became terribly apparent. Simple acoustics and double tracked vocals were to be blamed first, and then the haunting repetition of melody would get the point of fingers. It may be just be a coincidence, but it may be yet another tragic page in the "revival" realm. I can't say with conviction either way.

I can say that most of these gems stink of a run-on sentence laden, hot-boxing trip to the east coast and back. Striking vocal inflections and hidden (sometimes unintelligible) language are by far the defining characteristics of this record. You can establish, very early on, a relationship with Banhart in a way that I can't explain. His voice capitalizes on a precipice of the blues, and the recording style is so Robert Johnson it's frightening. Review your old Leadbelly and Blind Lemon Jefferson pressings and you'll see the truth unfold before your eyes. And if you've never owned them, get yourself together and buy the blues.

There is a flowing sameness that allows this record to penetrate fast and leave you stunned. You'll be hard-pressed to find a song that you can't relate to, lyrically or via the mood delivered. All analog, all the time makes "Oh me, oh my…" a retrospective listen even if it is the first time you've heard it.

-Jeff