Banhart has been releasing albums to varying success since 2002. The track that originally drew my intention to the band was 2005’s `Heard Somebody Say’ with its overtly political and downcast mood. It was none-the-less a triumph for song writing and originality in a year when Fall Out Boy and Hard-Fi were kings. So come 2009 does Devendra Banhart still manage to stand alone in sound and character? To a certain extent, yes. Though this year we have seen the gradual increase in folk influenced music from bands like Mumford and Son and Noah And The Whale there is still a unique character to Devendra Banhart’s music. It’s psychedelic and charming. The album starts gently like the pleasant ring of the end of summer. `Angelika’ then is a warm and gently bouncing track lead by jazzy piano line and Devendra’s reverberating voice. Recent single `Baby’ exhibits more warmth and bounce to it. There is also a sense of fun in the song writing here with the use of lyrics like “holy moly” and harmonies in the chorus that sound like the “choo choo train” that Devendra mentions. It is a charming song. The lilting guitars and soft layering of `Goin’ Back’ show intelligence in the variety of Banhart’s song writing early in the album.

`First Song for B’ and `Last Song for B’ form an interesting combination of sound in put back to back on the album. They both have a mournful feel to them departing from the warmth of the start of the album. Lyrics like “Please destroy me” provide support to this departure. Once you get past the strange name of `Chin Chin & Muck Muck’ you are treated to a moment of creativity. The brushed drums and horns in the first section lend a live feel to the recording. This is followed by a more energetic section with a greater sense of fun. The next brief section is lead by the vocal section which the piano follows. Finally the last section returns to the slight summer warmth of earlier in the album. The only constant throughout this track is Devendra’s reverberating voice and the higher pitched backing.

`16th & Valencia Roxy Music’ is a dancier moment in the album filled with anticipation and excitement. `Rats’ then is certainly a broodier moment on the album that brings to mind The Doors with deep and intelligent Jim Morrison like vocals as well as reverberating guitar lines. There are brief moments in the track exhibiting Banhart’s wonderful originality and playfulness.

Towards the end of the track then Banhart shows his continued intelligence and originality. `Maria Lionza’ and `Brindo’ represent Banhart’s joint heritage of California and Venezuela. One is warmly psychedelic and the other holds more Latino influences whilst keeping Banhart’s character. `Meet Me at Lookout Point’ then is almost dream like. Unfortunately, though the last two tracks, which aren’t in themselves bad, do feel surplus to requirements.

So how do you sum up this sixth full length? It continues to show Devendra Banhart’s originality as well as exhibiting a growing maturity in his writing. It’s a warm and accomplished piece of work.

4/5

Toby Staunton