Jurado’s 11th album explores many possiblities
Published 1:28 pm Friday, January 10, 2014
Damien Jurado’s 11th studio album, “Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son,” sounds like someone discovering the vast possibilities of his musical voice, which is rare for someone releasing his 11th studio album.
With “Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son,” the Seattle singer-songwriter is releasing a refreshing, reflective album that’s a blast to listen to. It proves Jurado is a musician with the gift for subtle reinvention. His music doesn’t jump ship to an entirely new form or genre, but it still sounds fresh and original.
At its base, the album is indie-folk, but it blends in hints of, frankly, whatever strikes Jurado’s fancy. In a trailer for the album, Jurado describes it as a sequel to his 2012 album “Maraqopa, “ an album about a man who disappears into the desert with no identification.
“It is about a guy who disappears on a search, if you will, for himself and never goes home,” Jurado said.
Though a sequel in subject matter, don’t mistake it as a sequel in musical style to “Maraqopa.” This new album expands from the more folk-fueled “Maraqopa” for a brighter, more beat and rhythm-driven sound. Jurado flashes his vocal range across the album, singing in a lower register on songs like “Silver Katherine.” But he sings in his higher register on many of the songs, but not quite to the falsetto of his contribution to “Almost Home” on Moby’s 2013 album “Innocents.”
The album is produced by Richard Swift, who also produced “Maraqopa,” and Jurado said Swift helps him pitch out the rulebook and expectations before recording.
Songs like “Return to Maraqopa” flash an expansive, booming folk style. On “Jericho Road,” Jurado sings like a distorted announcer over a song with western hints.
Like much of Jurado’s work, no one song thrives as a clearcut single. Though a short release at about 34 minutes, “Brothers and Sisters of The Eternal Son” is better as a cohesive album.
“Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son” feels a bit like Jim James’ “Regions of Light and Sound of God,” in that it’s a deeply personal, reflective and often spiritual album that doesn’t delve into the gloom and doom you’d expect from such music — not to mention the names feel eerily familiar.
The album also feels a bit like Father John Misty’s “Fear Fun,” though it has a more precise musical direction. Jurado’s received some unique buzz recently from his one-time tour mate. Father John Misty — the one-time Fleet Foxes drummer and backup singer also known as J. Tillman who struck out on his own — wrote an essay about the album, saying “Damien Jurado is every character in every Damien Jurado song.” (You really have to read it for yourself to get the full feeling of it).
Jurado is headed to Minnesota. He’ll play at the Turf Club in St. Paul on Jan. 31. Tickets are $15.