Search - Castanets :: In the Vines

Don't listen to the Pitchfork review

R. King | Brooklyn, NY | 10/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I knew when I first heard this album that Pitchfork was going to give it a mediocre review. Although the reviewer picks up on many details of Raposa's work, but fails to understand what separates him from other, as they call it, "indie-rolk" artists. The reviewer trys to lump him in with a larger group, such as Smog and Iron and Wine, missing the point entirely. And given the power they have nowadays to make or break an album, I first wanted to say to not put much stock in it. Read the review on Dusted, or any of the other publications.



I have been a huge Castanets fan ever since I got Cathedral. I was travelling overseas at the time, and I found myself listening to it constantly. His voice, and the simplicity of the album kept me listening, and with every listen I found more layers and depths.



But flash forward three years, and we find a very different album. There is no doubt that it is a Castanets cd, but he's moved further away from simpler song structures. As Dusted pointed out, the third song is probably the only one that can be considered a traditional song. Songs fade in, fade out, and seem to end in odd places. The smallest shift in a song is meant to signify something. This is an album, in the truest sense of the word. It should be listened to in its entirety. It is not a collection of singles. By trying to compare The Castents to other similar artists, we miss what sets him apart.



I doubt that this album will attract any new fans, but for those that enjoy the other two albums, this one will not disappoint."

Beautiful entanglement!

Phil Deez | Oakland, CA USA | 10/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Castanets third record "In The Vines" pushes folk music into new territory. Its actually hard to use the word folk, as this music is something else, something we needed to hear. Its refreshing to hear a band that takes so many risks and succeeds in the process. The sheer emotional content of this album is enough to bring listeners to their knees, laughing and crying at the expansiveness of it all. Raposa's lyrics bring the roof down on the human condition, then build it back up again, new and free from attachments.

If you have a pulse, or even if you don't, you should purchase this phenomenal record. Very Highly Reccommended!"