I started this review with a little trepidation. While I love Anaïs Mitchell and am practically an Anaïs completest/stalker, I was worried that this record might be a letdown. See I’ve been disappointed before when my hopes were so high. Sometimes it’s that 5th (or 4th or 6th) record where you might notice a dropoff. Maybe an artist has said all she needs to say, or becomes musically stagnant or unnecessarily experimental. That’s often the time an artist puts out the special guest record or the duets record or the inevitable children’s lullabies record or the covers project (I could go on and on). But I worried for naught.
That faint bit of anxiety was probably silly really, especially considering Anais broke the mold of what a folk artist can accomplish on her last record: the folk-rock opera Hadestown. The new record is called Young Man In America and is due out on Feb 21. This is a more independent release than past records (the last couple cds were released on Ani DiFrancos’ label Righteous Babe) but the production gives no indication of any expense being spared. There are orchestral moments, experimental jazz sounds, ambient echos, and dischordant fractured guitars. All these sounds fit in the context of each song and rarely overshadow Anaïs voice and her lyrics.
One of the songs with the most soaring, epic instrumentation is “Ships”; on it Anaïs matches the dynamics of the music with her powerful voice. On the standout track “Tailor” (performed here live on YouTube) Anais describes a character who goes through a litany of changes both physical and mental brought about by a lover’s remarks. The song is performed on a bed of accordion giving it a bit of a ramshackle, gypsy sound. Every nuance of Anais’ voice is present, every whispered phrase, every sigh, all the resentment and all the disappointment. On the song “Shepherd” Anaïs explores a relationship between a shepherd and his wife pregnant with child. Both have their wants and needs and responsibilities and even in the moments before an imminent birth the work of the shepherd takes precedent leading to a tragic result.
“Shepherd” is being given away free to those who sign up for Anaïs’ newsletter so you can go here (scroll down to the bottom of the page) to sign up for the newsletter. Or you can preview the song below (plus there’s a nice live video of it here).
Anaïs has an extensive touring schedule with a April 20 release show here in Chicago at SPACE. Here’s some important upcoming dates:
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 Westminster, London, UK – SOLD OUT @ Westminster Reference Library
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Newmarket, NH @ The Stone Church on Zion Hill
Thursday, February 23, 2012 Cambridge, MA @ Club Passim
Friday, February 24, 2012 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
Saturday, February 25, 2012 Peacedale, RI @ Music at Lily Pads
Monday, February 27, 2012 Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 New York, NYC @ Joe’s Pub
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Annapolis, MD @ Rams Head On Stage
Thursday, March 1, 2012 Philadelphia, PA @ Tin Angel
Young Man In America can be preordered now through Amazon here. This is a great chance to support independent music and come away with what will surely be one of the great records of 2012.
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Trailer for “Wilderland”:
Trailer for “Tailor”