PRESS
Rejoicing in the Hands
Big Takeover | Jack Rabid
A unique artist making some great and singular music.
Banhart’s previous CDs, the Oh Me Oh My LP and the Black Babies EP (U.K.) were recorded by the itinerant musician himself. They had a thin, scratchy sound and a tendency to early T. Rex trilling with an earnestness that almost felt Adam Sandler-esque. Now with his popularity growing, Banhart and his producer and label head Michael Gira of The Swans decided that rather than lo-fi, they should move on and make everything sound nice and fat. There are strings and horns and on some numbers a dark vibe reminiscent of The Swans’ later work. Other songs have a light troubadour, almost Donovan feel, but Banhart seems more serious. Altogether a unique artist making some great and singular music.