Both under his own name and under the moniker of Smog, Bill Callahan has been making strange, elliptical and alluring folk music since the early '90s. One of Callahan's greatest gifts is the way he grafts seemingly contrary ideas and sounds onto his slow-moving, structurally simple songs. "Sycamore's" backing vocals and dry, ringing guitar tones nod to the sounds of classic soul music, while Callahan's plain speak-singing vocal style comes straight out of country music. The song also makes room for some twisting, almost psychedelic guitar lines that hang nicely over the sturdy foundation of Callahan's voice and a central cyclical guitar riff.
-- David Marchese
(The Song of the Day is also available as a podcast. Subscribe: iTunes or RSS)
Shares