Pick of the Week #48: Evening Hymns

In a recent National Post article, Jonas Bonnetta explains that he stopped recording under his own name because he didn't want to get pigeon holed as just another dude with a guitar. So, the story goes, Bonnetta began recording under the moniker Evening Hymns -- something that suggests more of a collective effort... maybe it's the use of the plural... I'm not sure.

On the album, Spirit Guides (Out of This Spark), Bonnetta certainly differentiates himself from the countless other guys w/ guitars that are out there. He employs, according to the National Post, no less than 17 of his closest friends on the 9 song, 42 minute album, which, as you'd expect, gives the album a much deeper, broader, sort of feel. The album, at times, boarders on Sufjan Stevens circa-Michigan territory or a Skyskraper National Park Hayden, mostly b/c of the often orchestral feel and the outdoorsy, nature inspired lyrics, but those just sort of hint at what Spirit Guides is about.

Spirit Guides seems deeper or more meaningful, somehow; maybe it just feels more personal. I've only had the album since Monday, so, I'm determined to be less hyperbolic than normal so I should just leave it and say that Spirit Guides is easier to connect with -- not better, just easier to connect with. Where Michigan, and Suf Stevens as a song writer can get a little preachy and Hayden can be so aloof, Bonnetta seems much more comfortable talking about himself.

So Spirit Guides has that going for it, and it is also much more diverse than most guy w/ guitar albums. Part of this is due to the fact that Bonnetta has so much help, but just because people show up to help, doesn't mean that the album is automatically going to be better. In fact, though I have no experience recording or anything, I'd imagine with more people around, you'd have more ideas, and it'd be tougher to manage. Either way Bonnetta manages, and manages well, to put together a relatively diverse group of songs -- the more standard singer-songwriter "Laterns"; the calm then violent "Dead Deer" (if this was more stripped down, it'd be very reminiscent of Hayden); the more choral group efforts on "Mountain Song" and "Cedars"; along with a guitar riff and a piano part that feel like they're lifted out of an Elton John song on "Broken Rifle".

Regardless of all the whos and wheres and whys, the result (Spirit Guides, in case you've been sleep reading) is something somewhere near spectacular. Like most of those new premium cable shows, it's tight, there's no waste, and every time I listen to the album I have a new favourite song. And I know I promised not to get hyperbolic, but I promise this isn't hyperbole, this is one of the best records of the year. Not enough people are going to hear it, so listen to it, and then tell your friends.

[mp3] Evening Hymns - Cedars
[mp3] Evening Hymns - Broken Rifle

Dead Deer recorded by Colin Medley

Pick of the Week #1: Ketch Harbour Wolves
Pick of the Week #2: Rah Rah
Pick of the Week #3: Glasvegas/Animal Collective
Pick of the Week #4: Bruce Peninsula
Pick of the Week #5: The Antlers
Pick of the Week #6: The Darcys
Pick of the Week #7: Ohbijou (Swift Feet for Troubling Times)
Pick of the Week #8: Gentlemen Husbands
Pick of the Week #9: Chris Whitley
Pick of the Week #10: Alela Diane
Pick of the Week #11: K'naan
Pick of the Week #12: TOR/Sufjan Stevens
Pick of the Week #13: Timber Timbre
Pick of the Week #14: Justis
Pick of the Week #15: Hibiscus & Rosehips Compilation
Pick of the Week #16: Patrick Watson
Pick of the Week #17: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers
Pick of the Week #18: The Liptonians
Pick of the Week #19: Sunparlour Players
Pick of the Week #20: Black Hat Brigade
Pick of the Week #21: Howie Beck
Pick of the Week #22: Pink Mountaintops
Pick of the Week #23: Still Life Still
Pick of the Week #24: Hayden
Pick of the Week #25: Snailhouse
Pick of the Week #26: Dog Day
Pick of the Week #27: Ohbijou (Beacons)
Pick of the Week #28: Dog is Blue
Pick of the Week #29: Parkas
Pick of the Week #30: The Wooden Sky
Pick of the Week #31: Bowerbirds
Pick of the Week #32: Miss Maya
Pick of the Week #33: Ben Folds Presents ...
Pick of the Week #34: Mantis
Pick of the Week #35: Diamond Rings
Pick of the Week #36: The Wilderness of Manitoba
Pick of the Week #37: Asher Roth
Pick of the Week #38: Julie Doiron
Pick of the Week #39: Chad VanGaalen
Pick of the Week #40: That's the Spirit
Pick of the Week #41: The Ghost is Dancing
Pick of the Week #42: Dan Mangan
Pick of the Week #43: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Pick of the Week #44: Said the Whale
Pick of the Week #45: Noah and the Whale
Pick of the Week #46: Mos Def
Pick of the Week #47: The Acorn