Liam the Younger “Clear Skies Over Black River” Review
While there is a mad scramble in our culture to whore oneself out to every possible outlet that will shell out attention and money, it is reassuring to know that there are still people like the one man band behind the rustic folk music of Liam the Younger. The artist, who is connected to the excellent Underwater People’s record label, has two albums free to download on his site (plus an album of older material not recorded under the same moniker). Although there is little fanfare behind the music, it’s an excellent collection of heartfelt and engaging songs.
Of the three available albums, my favorite is Clear Skies Over Black River. The lo-fi folk music has an unshackled aesthetic that highlights the Bright Eyes-meets-Eef Barzelay warbly, heart on the sleeve music. The arrangements are sparse and offer a stunning look at the bare bones musical approach of the great artist. In writing on his website, Liam describes the record as “Written alone. Recorded alone. ‘Slumber Punk.’” The music and vocals barely ever raise above a whisper, but the songs are compelling and heartfelt in a way that all the Garage Band software in the world could not reproduce. It is an album that could serve as the last thing you hear before you go to sleep or the first thing you hear in the morning. It is equally sad and redemptive, buoyed by a sense of optimism that seems to come through the music via the singers unique and organic recordings.
Starting right away with the opening song “Leaving Black River,” the vocals are plaintive and the music is sparse and beautiful. Things pick up a little bit on a few upbeat songs (“Country Wide,” “My Wall,” and “Walking”), but the album is mostly a laid back, somber affair. There are moments when the simple arrangements and lonely lyrics remind me of the best work Daniel Johnston’s has done. Highlights include the stunning “Cooking,” the redemptive “Okay,” and album closer “Clear Skies.”
The album sounds like it was recorded alone and in the dark, the exact specifications I would suggest to listen to the arresting batch of songs. The saying “you get what you pay for” is something that often rings true in life, but in the case of this free offering from Liam the Younger, you get the sense that you are getting away with robbery. The collection of lo-fi songs are concise and sincere and find an artist with considerable talent really putting his heart on his sleeve. In a world filled with pompous, no talent people willing to do just about anything to get attention, it is something like Clear Skies Over Black River, a touching and personal album given away for free, that really deserves our attention.