PRESS
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Rejoicing in Devendra's Hands
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The Cauldron | by David ImburgiaWonderful and askew visions of love and celebrationIn the past six months or so, Devendra Banhart has released two full-length records, made appearances on the records of his contemporaries, toured all over the U.S., and organized the release of a psych-folk collection called Golden Apples of the Sun that he compiled himself. What have YOU done in the past six months? Devendra Banhart's consistant works have continued the folksinger's plundering of the shores of oddity, a voyage that started with his cockeyed, hissy debut Oh Me Oh My in 2002. Banhart's nonstop passion has been the seed for a huge bulge of psychedelic and introspective folk music in the past year for Banhart and contemporaries such as Joanna Newsom, Vetiver, Six Organs of Admittance, et al. A feeling that carried through a spring of promise and a summer of celebration continues with Nino Rojo, released last month. The prolific nature of Banhart is an attribute counts towards a huge relevance with his appeal, but also doesn't compromise the soul you can hear in the music. Another set of sixteen songs leads off with a cover of the Ella Jenkins gem "Wake Up, Little Sparrow." The......
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Rejoicing in Devendra's Hands
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The Cauldron | by David ImburgiaWonderful and askew visions of love and celebrationIn the past six months or so, Devendra Banhart has released two full-length records, made appearances on the records of his contemporaries, toured all over the U.S., and organized the release of a psych-folk collection called Golden Apples of the Sun that he compiled himself. What have YOU done in the past six months? Devendra Banhart's consistant works have continued the folksinger's plundering of the shores of oddity, a voyage that started with his cockeyed, hissy debut Oh Me Oh My in 2002. Banhart's nonstop passion has been the seed for a huge bulge of psychedelic and introspective folk music in the past year for Banhart and contemporaries such as Joanna Newsom, Vetiver, Six Organs of Admittance, et al. A feeling that carried through a spring of promise and a summer of celebration continues with Nino Rojo, released last month. The prolific nature of Banhart is an attribute counts towards a huge relevance with his appeal, but also doesn't compromise the soul you can hear in the music. Another set of sixteen songs leads off with a cover of the Ella Jenkins gem "Wake Up, Little Sparrow." The......
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Rejoicing in Devendra's Hands
()
The Cauldron | by David ImburgiaWonderful and askew visions of love and celebrationIn the past six months or so, Devendra Banhart has released two full-length records, made appearances on the records of his contemporaries, toured all over the U.S., and organized the release of a psych-folk collection called Golden Apples of the Sun that he compiled himself. What have YOU done in the past six months? Devendra Banhart's consistant works have continued the folksinger's plundering of the shores of oddity, a voyage that started with his cockeyed, hissy debut Oh Me Oh My in 2002. Banhart's nonstop passion has been the seed for a huge bulge of psychedelic and introspective folk music in the past year for Banhart and contemporaries such as Joanna Newsom, Vetiver, Six Organs of Admittance, et al. A feeling that carried through a spring of promise and a summer of celebration continues with Nino Rojo, released last month. The prolific nature of Banhart is an attribute counts towards a huge relevance with his appeal, but also doesn't compromise the soul you can hear in the music. Another set of sixteen songs leads off with a cover of the Ella Jenkins gem "Wake Up, Little Sparrow." The......
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Psychedelic six-strings
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Boston Phoenix | by BY MAC RANDALLDevendra Banhart and the avant-folk movementEven when you’re in the salubrious environs of Paris, as singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart is today, talking over the phone to a journalist can be tiring. But the boots he’s just bought are keeping his enthusiasm high; word is they once belonged to film icon Gary Cooper. "It’s hard finding shoes that I like," the 23-year-old says, "but I like Gary Cooper’s." You could say that Banhart — born in Texas, raised in Venezuela, and a world traveler by inclination — has stepped into someone else’s shoes in more ways than one. His musical footwear, however, owes little to the golden age of Hollywood and quite a lot to the psychedelic ’60s. On his latest album, Niño Rojo (Young God), he warbles lines like "Cook me in your breakfast, put me on your plate ’cause you know I taste great" ("At the Hop") over the plink of a nylon-string guitar. The gnomish quiver in his voice coupled with the whimsical lyrics brings back memories of Donovan, the Incredible String Band, and Tyrannosaurus Rex–era Marc Bolan. His beard, long hair, Indian name, and general demeanor boost the impression of a flower......
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Psychedelic six-strings
()
Boston Phoenix | by BY MAC RANDALLDevendra Banhart and the avant-folk movementEven when you’re in the salubrious environs of Paris, as singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart is today, talking over the phone to a journalist can be tiring. But the boots he’s just bought are keeping his enthusiasm high; word is they once belonged to film icon Gary Cooper. "It’s hard finding shoes that I like," the 23-year-old says, "but I like Gary Cooper’s." You could say that Banhart — born in Texas, raised in Venezuela, and a world traveler by inclination — has stepped into someone else’s shoes in more ways than one. His musical footwear, however, owes little to the golden age of Hollywood and quite a lot to the psychedelic ’60s. On his latest album, Niño Rojo (Young God), he warbles lines like "Cook me in your breakfast, put me on your plate ’cause you know I taste great" ("At the Hop") over the plink of a nylon-string guitar. The gnomish quiver in his voice coupled with the whimsical lyrics brings back memories of Donovan, the Incredible String Band, and Tyrannosaurus Rex–era Marc Bolan. His beard, long hair, Indian name, and general demeanor boost the impression of a flower......