Wooden Wand And The Sky High Band
Second Attention
New York avant-gardist Jason Toth re-emerges after last years solo album and his many outings with The Vanishing Voice to bring us this quality psych-folk classic. Second Attention is packed full of religious references which are delivered with Toth's ironic, country drawl and the result is refreshingly hard to label. Compared to his earlier work Second Attention is a relatively straightforward, song-orientated affair that channels healthy doses of Dylan and the odd dab of Hendrix.
The fantastically gospel Portrait In The Clouds starts off as a sing along folk ditty about religious redemption repeating the chorus "God's Portrait in the clouds, I am bloodthirsty no more." Then along with the strumming acoustic guitar comes an almost question and answer formation between a gloriously bluesy electric guitar and organ. This is a pattern employed on the most interesting moments on this record. The more conventional folk numbers like Crucifixion Pt. II and Dead Sue are where the early Dylan comparisons appear, with their rambling, repetitive story telling formation but the best moments are found in songs like The Bleeder, Sweet Xiao Li and Mother Midnight where The Sky High Band really shine. On the whole the band takes a back seat allowing Toth's vocals to take centre stage but on the occasions when the grimy electric guitar creeps in the song is transported to new territories. This is what ultimately makes this record a success; it's ability to surprise you. Even though by his standards Toth has created a relatively conventional piece of work it is clear to see that Second Attention has been born out of a colourful history of music appreciation.
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21st Sep 2006 - Tumblr
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