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I wrote about John Vanderslice the other day and how I’m just now joining the JV party. My favorite track on his new album, Romanian Names, is “Too Much Time.” This video features John performing with the Magik Magik Orchestra at the SF Conservatory of Music. It’s awesome.
John Vanderslice – Too Much Time
Video: John Vanderslice – Too Much Time
John Vanderslice “Too Much Time” from Yours Truly on Vimeo.
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John Vanderslice has been a staple in the San Francisco music scene. He’s now put out six albums and, while I’ve sampled most of them, I have never pulled the trigger on a purchase. Something about his sound was too experimental, using too many sound effects. Romanian Names is his first album released on Dead Oceans and its accessibility should expand the Vanderslice audience to include the hipster outsiders like me.
After hearing “Fetal Horses” prior to the release, I was anxious to hear what else Romanian Names had to offer.‚ The beauty of the record slowly crept in after the fourth or fifth time through. Vanderslice’s vocals are warm and his lyrics, provocative:
“Fetal Horses gallop in the womb/ Seeing corpses in an empty room.”‚ And then later: “Elise today your pixeled bloody face/ It seems to me to be finally dead with you him/ So come back to me again/ You’d break everything I have.”
I don’t have the patience to reflect on his lyrics for deeper interpretation, but as I left on a week-long business trip last week, these songs moved me.‚ “Too Much Time” especially struck a nerve and I found myself mesmerized by the lyrics:
Stone by stone/ I left my only home/ And brick by brick/ I woke myself from happiness/ And dead fur and almond wood/ Storm crosses over Mount Hood/ I’ve got too much time/ Too much time gone by/ And I can’t find you if I tried.
Side note: I once lived in a small town on the base of Mount Hood.
I wasn’t expecting to like Romanian Names and this is not the type of music I typically listen to or write about. I am a sucker for poetic lyrics, however, and I guess that’s why Vanderslice is striking a chord with me.‚ Branching out into new musical terrain has never felt better.
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John Vanderslice – Fetal Horses
John Vanderslice – Too Much Time
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John Vanderslice just released another new track from his upcoming release Romanian Names. I’m still working my way through the album, but should have an opinion shortly.
John Vanderslice – Too Much Time
They also have a pre-order offer. Details follow:
In pre-order news, we have a very exciting announcement to make: the first 100 fans to pre-order John Vanderslice’s upcoming album, Romanian Names, will each receive a limited-edition, letterpressed wallet containing a small snippet of analog tape. This tape contains unused music from JV’s master recording of Romanian Names. The tape is literally from the cutting-room floor of Tiny Telephone.
John Vanderslice and Dead Oceans grant free reign and full rights to those that receive this tape snippet by pre-ordering JV’s new album. The music contained on the snippet can be used however that person may wish, and the music on the snippet will be wholly owned by that person. Splice it into other music, loop it, remix it, or simply hold it as a keepsake.
All pre-orders of Romanian Names come with a digital download of the album that can be listened to immediately. Romanian Names will be released on May 19th (18th in the UK) on Dead Oceans. Pre-Order here.
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John Vanderslice announced the release of a new album entitled Romanian Names, being released via Dead Oceans on May 19th. The press release also claims that it’s his best record yet. More about the album:
The album is subtle and lush, with a lyrical approach less concerned with narrative and cohesion than previous JV records, leading to a new tone that feels self-assured, natural, and unafraid. The results come in the way of killer sing-along choruses, memorable and punchy hooks, and knock-out atmospherics.
Here is the first mp3 released.
John Vanderslice – Fetal Horses
Upcoming tour dates:
5/17/09 Merced, CA‚ – The Partisan
5/19/09 San Francisco, CA‚ – The Rickshaw
5/21/09 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
5/22/09 Seattle, WA – Easy Street
5/24/09 George, WA – Sasquatch!
5/27/09 Provo, UT – Velour
5/28/09 Salt Lake City,‚ UT – Kilby Court
5/29/09 Denver, CO – Hi-Dive
5/30/09 Omaha, NE – Slowdown Jr
6/06/09 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
6/09/09 Pittsburgh, PA – The Warhol Museum
6/12/09 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williambsurg
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