TwoWordHeap

Artist: Benjamin Gibbard & Andrew Kenny
Album: Home Volume V
Release Date: May 12, 2003
Label: Post-Parlo Records

Back in 2000 or so, Post-Parlo Records decided to pair up indie rockers Kind Of Like Splitting with folk-rock artist Jeff London to release a 4 song EP titled Home: Volume I. The EP is written on the theme of “home” and features two tracks by Kind Of Like Splitting and two tracks by Jeff London. Next up was the pairing of Super XX Man and Eric Metronome followed by Rhythm of Black Lines and Pavo in 2001. Late in 2002, Post-Parlo Records released what may remain the most revered volume in the series, Home: Volume IV, featuring 4 collaborative efforts by Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Spoon’s Britt Daniel. Over the years since, this album has become quite the collectors item. The biggest reason for this, of course, is the 2,000 copy cap on each pressing.

So, while Home: Volume IV appears to have grabbed most of the attention, the latest collaboration between Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and The American Analog Set’s Andrew Kenny continues to turn heads even now, over 4 years after it’s release. Home: Volume V feels less forced than previous installments and presents a focused and much more consistent record. In my personal opinion, this is by far the best installment of the series.

Photo by: drazin. Some Rights Reserved

Ben Gibbard’s “You Remind Me of Home” is the perfect opener for fans of Death Cab as it eases a person into the subdued sound found on Home. This song is catchy and fun yet maintains Death Cab’s wistful, longing atmosphere.

“Carolina” follows with it’s lovely harmonies and upbeat melody. Two minutes and 26 seconds later, “Farmer Chords” arrives, maintaining the same somber mood, though, this song is actually the only track that includes drums, adding just enough to keep things interesting.

The trend with the Home Series is to have each artist’s fourth song be a cover of one of the other artist’s previously released songs. Gibbard covers The American Analog Set’s “Choir Vandals”. He doesn’t do much with the track but yet it still sounds terrific. If you’re a fan of the original, you’re sure to like this version.

Photo by: joshc. Some Rights Reserved

For Andrew Kenny’s side of the album, he offers four of the most touching songs I’ve heard in quite some time and easily the best on this split. His whispered voice and unfaltering confidence seems to provide emotions not easily found anywhere else. Don’t be mistaken, his contributions are just as subdued as Gibbard’s so they aren’t the most immediately captivating songs you’ll ever hear, but if given the chance, these songs can open your heart to wonderful emotions.

“Hometown Fantasy” is a short and sweet introduction to Andrew Kenny; it gives the listener a chance to get accustomed to his individual style. Next, “Home Recording Has Ruined My Life” delicately etches itself into your head with it’s more or less perfect progression that remains unchanged throughout the song and infectious ‘doo doo doo’s.

This is followed by my favourite track, “Churchmouse in the Churchhouse”. What gets me most about this song is it’s incredible use of dynamics. From incredibly soft and intimate to intense and emotional, “Churchmouse in the Churchhouse” effortlessly glides along, without hesitation or any sense of unease.

Kenny finishes things off with his version of Death Cab’s “Line of Best Fit”, found on 1998′s Something About Airplanes and 2002′s You Can Play These Songs with Chords. Andrew Kenny’s cover settles things down a bit and strips much of the chaos found in either original version. This really allows more passion to bleed through and gives the song a deeper sense of sentiment.

Home: Volume V is a simple collection of acoustic ditties that is perfect for long drives or long nights. These songs are so soft and beautiful, they can’t help but remind you of home.

Rating:

Tracklist
01. Ben Gibbard – You Remind Me of Home
02. Ben Gibbard – Carolina
03. Ben Gibbard – Farmer Chords
04. Ben Gibbard – Choir Vandals
05. Andrew Kenny – Hometown Fantasy
06. Andrew Kenny – Home Recording Has Ruined My Life
07. Andrew Kenny – Churchmouse in the Churchhouse
08. Andrew Kenny – Line of Best Fit

MP3s
Benjamin Gibbard
“Carolina”
[mp3]/music/single_tracks/carolina.mp3[/mp3]

“Choir Vandals”
[mp3]/music/single_tracks/choir_vandals.mp3[/mp3]

Andrew Kenny
“Home Recording Has Ruined My Life”
[mp3]/music/single_tracks/home_recording_has_ruined_my_life.mp3[/mp3]

“Churchmouse In The Churchhouse”
[mp3]/music/single_tracks/churchmouse_in_the_churchhouse.mp3[/mp3]

Links
Official Death Cab For Cutie Homepage
Death Cab For Cutie @ MySpace.com
Official The American Analog Set Homepage
The American Analog Set @ MySpace.com

Related Articles

• February 8th, 2009 – February 14th, 2009

  02.17.09 | Found in Top 7 In 7 | Read 103 times

• The Legion Of Doom

  03.16.09 | Found in Hear | Read 414 times

• Andrew Bird Daytrotter Session- Lull

  03.01.09 | Found in Loot | Read 48 times