I do not remember exactly when I first heard First Aid Kit but I do know that I picked up on their ‘Drunken Trees’ debut in 2008 (and before, I am sure, their Fleet Foxes cover went viral...). I say this, of course, to illustrate how hip and on the pulse I am; to show that I am no Johnny-come-lately who just read about them in Q, Mojo or The Guardian. Me, I’m down with the cutting edge of the underground, man. Way ahead. You know it’s true.
Not that it matters a jot. I’d still be loving their new ‘The Lion’s Roar’ set and in particular this ‘Emmylou’ cut. Some may be tired with the whole Laurel Canyon, California sixties aesthetic but I admit I find myself drawn to it still. The packaging of the album is very much rooted in that era; the Söderberg sisters as flower children exploring the canyons, blissfully unaware of Charlie’s nightmare just around the corner.
And if a part of me wants to sneer and bitch about corporate nostalgia, about that endless recycling of Rock’s most obvious mythic past, another part says just give into that irresistibly charming chorus of ‘Emmylou’ with it’s oh-so-knowing but oh-so-sweetly-loving references to the greats of country and cosmic American music. Part of me reminds myself that I too have made the pilgrimage to Joshua Tree and to Gram’s memorial; that I too was touched beyond words. Emmylou and June. Joni and Michelle. Wendy and Bonnie. There are worse things to be dreaming of after all.
Yep - there are worse things to be dreaming of ! This is a lovely album (but like you I'm a sucker for the Laurel Canyon vibe). Place this alongside Jonathan Wilson's 'gentle spirit'- even if the whimsical mood gets a bit cloying. And I've never managed to 'do ' the Joshua tree (grr) !
Posted by: rob | January 31, 2012 at 18:21