Volcano Choir... Vernon as indie-priest

Unmap... Justin Vernon is some kind of indie savant. I have no idea where this all comes from, it's almost supernatural what he does with music. By the sound of it, his work on the track "Still" - a rework of "Woods" from For Emma.. provided something of a creative launch pad. The track is reworked here and is a highlight of the album sounding fuller and more impressive where the original was tightly insular.

Instrumentally, he of course uses his own accoustic guitar, drums, and his trademark - group vocal harmonies throughout. But there are also electric guitars, various keyboards, electronic noodles... used on tracks like "Seeplymouth" to build full and powerful, moving soundscapes, perhaps slightly reminiscent of Spiritualized. He's unafraid to really slow things down, "Vote" starting as almost a plainsong chant that dissolves into an electric humm. Most .. errm... leftfield, is the fragile, obscure, Waits-esque "Mbira In The Morass".. (yes, right over my head too..).

This album is deeply calming, these are hymns from some post-modern indie church.