If I could fuck a mountain...

[Giuseppe Zangara]

Will Oldham plays country-tinged folk, but that's only the tip of the iceberg; he just as readily embraces rock, Celctic and blues in his music. Lyrically, reoccuring themes include sex, drinking and God. Oldham, also, has recorded under various names, including his own, many variations of the name "Palace" and, currently, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (and I was very excited when I learned the other day that he'll be coming to my town in June). Here are three albums that are the best place to start with this man, along with brief descriptions:

 

Palace Music--Viva Last Blues (1995)

 

The closest to a straight rock record Oldham has made. Highlights: "More Brother Rides," "The Mountain Low" (where I got this thread's title) and "New Partner."

 

Palace Brothers--Days in the Wake (1994)

 

Just Oldham and his guitar, but the lo-fi quality recording adds an erieness to Oldham's often unsettling songs. Highlights: "Pushkin" and "I Am a Cinematographer."

 

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy--I See a Darkness (1999)

 

Arguably his best release, Pitchforkmedia even declared it one of the top ten albums of the 90s. The songs strike a greater balance between morose and uplift than anything he's done prior (the title track, by the way, was later covered by Johnny Cash); it's also his most varied album to date. Highlights: The whole fucking record, really, but check out "Nomadic Revery" (the last minute-and-a-half of this song gives me chills), "I See a Darkness," "Death to Everyone" and "Madeline-Mary."

[Kinetic]

I don't see the big deal about Will Oldham's fucking boring, sub-Leonard Cohen bullshit music. Now, I can't say as though I've ever actually listened to his stuff in any sort of private setting, but the times I've heard it in public I was really offended by how bad it was. That said, it isn't half as synapse-grindingly awful as the Mountain Goats, who tend to get played in similar situations here. Is it wrong of me to equate the two?

[Giuseppe Zangara]

Go back to not posting.

 

EDIT: And Oldham sounds nothing like Cohen.

[Anorak]

There's a fair bit of early Oldham i've not heard, releasing stuff under half a dozen different names etc doesn't always make things easy either. So far i haven't heard aything of his i'd remotely call 'bad' although i can understand him being an aqquired taste. I See A Darkness is indeed a great record.

 

Can't say i've ever thought of Cohen when i've listened to him to be honest.

[Giuseppe Zangara]

Nor does linking the Mountain Goats to either act resemble logic.

[Nighthawk]

I have heard nothing from him, but such varied opinions from such similar people makes me want to see for myself. If you really are the same person, this is the smartest thing you've done yet.

[Anorak]

I'm sure Kinetic backed me up once when i said Stereolab sucked.

 

I'm pretty certain Inc/Squirtle has featured that band more than once when he's posted in the classic 'shit you listened to today' thread.

 

Maybe he changed his mind or something.

[Guest Derek Bailey]

I was in London this week and major chain stores had display racks of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy vinyl. Since I know of one store within 75 miles of me that sells anything by him, this resulted in me having a stroke. I enjoy the music of Will Oldham.