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Monday, May 21, 2012

Sad songs made beautiful by sweaters and beards

If you're looking for a folk artist who isn't afraid to take chances, check out Sharon Van Etten.

By Kyle Stone  |  Published: 02/16/12 10:34am  |  Updated: 02/16/12 1:00pm  |  No comments


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If you’re looking for young, folk-inspired artists who aren’t afraid to take chances, look no further than the record label Jagjaguwar.

The label is on a serious hot streak at the moment with Bon Iver recently taking home two Grammys, and as singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten joins the roster, that streak looks set to continue.

Van Etten began garnering attention with her two previous albums, “Because I Was in Love” and “Epic,” both of which explored similar themes (love, heartbreak, I-hate-my-ex-boyfriend) as her latest full-length release, “Tramp.”

“Tramp” comes out swinging with quite the pedigree. The record seemed to be destined to have a grand sound, due to production by The National’s Aaron Dessner and multiple appearances from great artists like Matt Barrick (The Walkmen), Julianna Barwick, Zach Condon (Beirut), Bryce Dessner (The National) and Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak), among others.

Both “Warsaw” and “Serpents,” two of the first three tracks, call for an angst-filled indie rock album. This comes through most clearly in “Serpents,” where Van Etten’s confessional lyrics (“Close in on my black eye/ I feel safe at times”) foreshadow her rarely expressed, enraged demeanor: “You enjoy sucking on dreams/ so I will fall asleep with someone other than you.”

Those beginning tracks turn out to be slightly misleading, as Van Etten quickly transforms “Tramp” into a beautiful, passive lull, reminiscent of the honesty and vocal patterns usually associated with Leslie Feist.

On the track “In Line,” Van Etten is able to use her voice as an instrument, using that lull to create melody and divert attention away from lyrics that aren’t necessary to the essence of the song.

Van Etten and Zach Condon perform their alluring duet in “We Are Fine,” the eighth track of the record, exposing just how good a vocal harmony with soothing couplets can sound: “Tell me not to trip or to lose sight/ You are walking in my guided light.”

In the final two tracks, “I’m Wrong” and “Joke or a Lie,” Van Etten creates an intimate experience in quite a depressing fashion with her vulnerable and arguably delusional lyrics.

In “I’m Wrong,” Van Etten cries, “Tell me I’m right/ Tell me I’m funny/ Even when I’m not.” The record then ends with Van Etten’s fading voice singing, “Call it a joke or a lie/ Put your coat on, then believe me/ I tried.”

Some of the indie music industry’s most high profile artists appear to be rallied behind Van Etten — and rightfully so. She is three full-length records into the game and has yet to put a foot wrong.

Ultimately, this is another album that proves heartbreak and mental anguish can certainly sound beautiful — especially when it’s made by sad people with beards and sweaters. But don’t overlook “Tramp,” because it is one of the most impressive records of 2012, thus far.

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