Damien Jurado - Where Shall You Take Me (2003)

Artist...............: Damien Jurado
Album................: Where Shall You Take Me
Genre................: Indie Rock
Source...............: Cd
Year.................: 2003
Ripper...............: Exact Audio Copy
Codec................: FLAC
Information..........: TntVillage
Covers...............: Front
Total Size...........: 280 Mb


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Rewiev
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Arriving just a year after the surprisingly eclectic and electric rock of I Break Chairs, Damien Jurado's
Where Shall You Take Me? is something of a return -- but not a retreat -- to the moody minimalism of albums like Ghost of David. Songs like "Amateur Night" and "Omaha" share the acoustic strumming and rustic, shuffling rhythms of his earlier work, but also have a subtly polished confidence that brings out the
warmth in Jurado's singing and playing as never before. The country and folk elements always present in his music come to the fore on "Abilene" and "Window," which, with its sweet, close harmonies, borrows equally from the traditions of bluegrass and hymns. A devotional thread runs through Where Shall You Take Me?, particularly on its second half, where "I Can't Get Over You" and "Tether" contrast love's complexities with deceptively simple melodies and arrangements. Overall, the album is less challenging than I Break Chairs, although "Texas to Ohio" recalls that work's Springsteen-influenced rock sound and the spooky, drum machine-driven "Intoxicated Hands" is a beautifully brooding ballad that rivals Jurado's darkest moments.

While Where Shall You Take Me? might be less ambitious than its predecessor, it certainly has its own
compelling charms; the album has an off the cuff, direct feel that suggests it was recorded with a few
friends over the course of an afternoon, particularly on songs like "Matinee." More importantly, Jurado's
singing and songwriting are affecting in virtually any setting and on any scope. Where Shall You Take Me?
is a small triumph, but a triumph nonetheless.




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Tracklist
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01. Amateur Night
02. Omaha
03. Abilene
04. Texas To Ohio
05. Window
06. I Can't Get Over You
07. Intoxicated Hands
08. Tether
09. Matinee
10. Bad Dreams