We’re experiencing a weird-folk renaissance, people. Devendra Banhart is gracing magazine covers; UK music bible The Wire trumpeted “New Weird America” on its cover late last year; Six Organs of Admittance joined Drag City’s roster, which has become psychedelic-folk central; and the ’60s English pioneers of the style, the Incredible String Band, are touring the United States this fall. Fire up the Nag Champa and tune your dusty acoustic guitars, brothers and sisters. We’re gonna raga tonight.
Jukeboxer (Noah Wall and pals including vocalist Amy Jones and percussionist Tim Barnes) is a crucial addition to this burgeoning movement. While Wall obviously emerges from the outsider-freak-folk tradition, he updates the blueprint with subtle use of digital effluvia that buttress his cyclical acoustic songs. His music nods eastward while also acknowledging recent indie-rock guitar tunings and the latest developments by Mr. Jobs’ company.
Most of In the Food Chain‘s compositions spiral deeply inward into your soul and then tenderly caress it; this is spiritual art, minus the cloying self-regard and overbearing gestures. Even if you don’t believe in holistic, New Agey phenomena, this music will heal you like acupuncture.
