Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon

Limited double vinyl LP pressing of Devendra's 2007 album. There is a wide but natural stylistic breadth evident, running the gamut of gently crooned ballads like 'Bad Girl', the loping blues of 'Saved', epic rockers such as 'Seahorse', reggae tunes, sultry South American stunners like 'Cristobal' and a few fun surprises mixed in for good measure. This CD is very much the work of Devendra's regular touring line-up strategically complimented by a few very special guests. The essence of the Topanga Canyon music scene of alumni neighbors like Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal, Joni Mitchell, Mick Fleetwood and the Doors inhabit the sound and vibe of these recording sessions. Banhart's whole "freak folk" tag is gone, replaced with this classic rock album. 16 tracks. XL Records. 2008.

Recorded in Topanga Canyon in the Santa Monica mountains. Neil Young lived there while recording "After The Gold Rush" and the area has also been home to Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal, Joni Mitchell, Mick Fleetwood, and members of The Doors. Those ghosts inhabit the sound and vibe of these recording sessions. Banhart's whole "freak folk" tag is gone, replaced with this classic, gorgeous rock album. Some songs are fragile and solipsistic, others have a pronounced tropicalia influence, and still others are wildly electric and epic. The CD has scanned over 30K to date. "Cripple Crow" has scanned over 52K. "A delectable psychedelic marker of time and tide - direct and languid, baleful and innocent" - Harp.