"Melancholy"

Number Thirty

There are a few albums this year that critics are beating to death. I figured I'd join the party. One is Swans, with "To Be Kind", another is Have A Nice Life's "The Unnatural World" (another group I've been meaning to do a post on), Freddie Gibbs and Madlib's collaborative LP, "Pinata", is also up there, and the last is Sun Kil Moon's "Benji".

Todays post is on Sun Kil Moon. Sun Kil Moon is the moniker of Mark Kozelek, who used to be in Red House Painters but now has Sun Kil Moon as his main focus. Sun Kil Moon is folk project, with Mark writing and performing all the songs. They are extremely personal and very dark but also simple and great to listen to. Sun Kil Moon has been releasing albums since 2002, but many are just finding out about Sun Kil Moon and "Benji" now, due to the fantastic reviews it has been getting.

Personally, I enjoy Sun Kil Moon for the stories. Mark's painstaking, detailed writing is the main focus of many of these songs, especially ones revolving around his family and his childhood. The imagery is shockingly clear on many of these songs, and some are left unclear for the benefit of the listener. Mark Kozelek is a fantastic singer/songwriter, and this newest album is perfect proof of that.

I'll post "Benji" in its entirety as well as older Sun Kil Moon songs. Hope you like it.

PS: I'd add Clipping's "CLPPNG" and Andrew Jackson Jihad's "Christmas Island" to the beating to the death album list this year. Y'know, for the record.

Sun Kil Moon - Benji
Sun Kil Moon - Heron Blue
Sun Kil Moon - Sam Wong Hotel
Sun Kil Moon - Third and Seneca

Favorite song: I Watched The Film The Song Remains The Same
Related artists: Red House Painters, American Music Club