Current Issue details

Current Issue details

Buy Current Issue

March Issue details

March Issue details

January - February Issue details

January - February Issue details

December Issue details

December Issue details

Reviews > CDs

Published: 2012/10/18

by Emily Zemler

Benjamin Gibbard: Former Lives

Barsuk

After Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard (who goes solo here as Benjamin Gibbard) experienced a widely public divorce, it seemed inevitable that the musician would channel the resulting angst into his next release. But as introspective as the lyrics are on Former Lives, Gibbard’s debut solo disc, the music itself is buoyant and carefree, channeling folk-tinged indie rock without descending into mopey territory. There are traces of heartbreak that linger, though. On “A Hard One to Know,” a propulsive acoustic number, Gibbard mourns a lover he can’t quite get a handle on, and on slick bluesy tune “Broken Yolk in Western Sky,” the singer repeatedly croons, “I faded into your past.” If only we all sounded so chipper after a breakup.

Comments

There are no comments associated with this posts

Note: It may take a moment for your post to appear

(required) (required, not public)

Relix A/V

Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger "The Pequod"

In honor of Umphrey’s McGee’s return to Summer Camp this weekend, we present the group’s Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger performing this version of “The Pequod” from UM’s Anchor Drops.

Dame "Sugar Muffin"

Dame shares a song from her new EP Preventions of Heartbreak.

Golden Bloom "Flying Mountain"

Golden Bloom stopped by Relix to perform a tune from their latest EP No Day Like Today.

The Chapin Sisters "Crying in the Rain"

The Chapin Sisters share an tune from their new album A Date With the Everly Brothers.

Night Moves "Country Queens"

Minneapolis-based Night Moves share a song from their record, Colored Emotions, live at Relix.

Cloud Cult "Complicated Creation"

Cloud Cult share a song from their latest album live at Relix.

The Giving Tree Band "Brown Eyed Women"

The Giving Tree Band enjoy a spring day on the Relix rooftop, while performing a classic Grateful Dead tune.

Hayden "Blurry Nights"

Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden performs a duet with his sister-in-law Lou Canon. The song appears on Us Alone his first record on Broken Social Scene’s Arts & Crafts Productions.

The Milk Carton Kids "Hope of a Lifetime"

The Milk Carton Kids share the first song from their new album, The Ash & Clay.

Premiere: Ana Popovic "Object Of Obsession"

Here is the new video from Serbian guitar ace Ana Popovic. “Object Of Obsession” appears on her latest album Can You Stand The Heat.