Damien Jurado

Damien Jurado long ago secured the sort of critical reputation and cult following that most of his fellow folk and folk-rock troubadours spend their careers chasing. But lists of the true pantheon of harrowing singer/songwriters in that vein–Will Oldham, Mark Kozelek, etc.–seldom include Jurado, who quietly and consistently has been building a catalog that very much earns him a spot in the top tier.

One of the possible catches for Jurado is that it doesn't seem that he's yet made his crowning masterpiece. Caught In The Trees doesn't qualify as such, but it does mark an intriguing break from form after a series of albums that found Jurado settling into a mostly mellow mood. Caught In The Trees revives a more rock-oriented side of Jurado’s sound – most famously captured during his brief Sub Pop period on I Break Chairs. He also spent more time on the album than any in his career, and his steady bandmates Jenna Conrad and Eric Fisher were around for the whole ride. As such, the album often feels like it's being played by "Damien Jurado the band" rather than "Damien Jurado the solo artist." Conard is likely the best foil Jurado has had as a supporting vocalist, and she contributes her own song, the dark and dramatic "Best Dress," which should lend itself to some jam-friendly explorations in concert. Somewhat less successful is the poppy single "Gillian Was A Horse" (co-written by Jurado and Conrad), which is propulsive but not especially memorable, aside from a prominent profanity in the chorus.

Jurado's sense of story is so strong that he’s often compared to authors rather than other songwriters. His tales of everyday infidelities and betrayals have been detail-rich and deeply felt. Caught In The Trees shifts focus to Jurado himself, stemming from the end of his 13-year marriage. "Everything Trying" and "Paper Kite" are quietly devastating, with Jurado pushing his vocals to the edge on the latter. The wrenching rocker "Go First," another highlight, finds a relationship on fragile footing: "You're making me nervous with how much you leave me here," he sings, "Is it a sign? I don't feel we're ever getting well." Spoiler alert: you've come to the wrong songwriter if you're expecting a surprise happy ending.

—Adam McKibbin
09.16.08