Red House Painters

Something of a resurrection of one of the 1990s' most affecting indie bands, Old Ramon shows that singer/songwriter Kozelek's consistent, heartbreaking songs leave him with few equals. On the whole, these tunes are gentler and more profound than the band's earlier efforts, not to mention a different cut of cloth from the rainy-day sentiments of its (often ill-termed) slow-core peers. Kozelek's tales of late-sleeping lovers and sunny drives with Social D on the radio are perfectly tailored with the arrangements, too, making for a brilliant swan song.

Dispelling the belief that Mark Kozelek can only write songs about women who have
scorned him, the sixth Red House Painters album opens with an upbeat tribute to his cat,
titled "Wop-a-din-din." But the San Francisco band's introspective disciples need not
worry. Aside from the odd lyrical twist here and clunky rock riff there, Old Ramon --
originally slated for release in 1998 -- fits quite easily alongside soul-stirring pred... More >