As part of a reported trilogy (the first, On Blue Fog came
out in 2007), one could interpret this latest title literally, since
the album marks a true rebirth of Ethier’s musical direction. While the
writing still sparks little flashes of Al Tuck, Dylan, Nick Cave and
noir-ish folk, Born of Blue Fog takes a giant leap away from the
sparser lower-fi values of his first solo offerings, toward a smooth
jazz groove (“Easiest Game”), mid-tempo blues (“Heaven Above You”) and
the relaxed sophistication of bands like Smog. Paul Aucoin (Hylozoists)
and Christopher Sands should get recognition for their
multi-instrumental talents and subtle string arrangements.
Dave Hayden
This article appears in Mar 5-11, 2009.
hi there, great review, but this isn’t the cover of Born of Blue Fog…the real cover has andre celebrating life with a couple of 50s in his hands.