With a singing saw, an orchestral banjo, and calliope organ, Mary’s Voice achieves a certain antique whimsicality as much through its instrumentation as it does through the devices in which it was recorded on. Julian Koster, previously of Neutral Milk Hotel, and frequent collaborator Robbie Cucchiaro continue their method of using recording equipment of yesteryear (early 1900s, ’30s, ’40s, ’60s) on their third full-length album. The use of old-time techniques and instruments, however, share the spotlight with Koster’s very emotive and refreshingly untrained voice, which at first seems more at home on a ’90s Elephant 6 track than in a smoky circus tent. But the combination works, and the result is some kind of magic.  Listen to “The Dark Is Singing Songs (Sleepy Time Down South)” by The Music Tapes and more on the September indie music sampler.

With a singing saw, an orchestral banjo, and calliope organ, Mary’s Voice achieves a certain antique whimsicality as much through its instrumentation as it does through the devices in which it was recorded on. Julian Koster, previously of Neutral Milk Hotel, and frequent collaborator Robbie Cucchiaro continue their method of using recording equipment of yesteryear (early 1900s, ’30s, ’40s, ’60s) on their third full-length album. The use of old-time techniques and instruments, however, share the spotlight with Koster’s very emotive and refreshingly untrained voice, which at first seems more at home on a ’90s Elephant 6 track than in a smoky circus tent. But the combination works, and the result is some kind of magic. 

Listen to “The Dark Is Singing Songs (Sleepy Time Down South)” by The Music Tapes and more on the September indie music sampler.

Tags: music