boduf songs

With titles like "Puke a pitch black rainbow to the sun" and "oh celebrate your vague words and coquettish sovereignty", Boduf songs could have been a tediously pretentious album. In style, at least on a shallow level, it resembles a lot of quiet guitar strummers and finger-pickers out there. Mat Sweet's whispering, husky voice provide a good material for the quiet richness of how he phrases the lyrics. Upon first listen, his songs might appear monotonous, but I guess the small changes in melody begin to stand out as one get used to the songs. The mix is beautifully executed, placing Sweet's whispery, intimate voice at the centre. Somehow, Boduf songs carves out a landscape that keeps me in thrall even though their music is not really that groundbreaking as Sweet has lots in common with psych folk contemporaries out there (Six organs of admittance, Current 93 etc.). And like some of his colleagues, Sweet makes spectral, wistful songs with gothic imagery. About spiders and stuff, I guess. Like Lars von Trier's Antichrist (without the woman-bashing), nature's evil forces looming over human life as a blanket of doom. Instruments are kept to a minimum on all his records. Beyond the guitar, played sparsely, there is a chord of keybord here, a clashing cymbal there. It works, what can I say. Those who like Greg Weeks/Espers and that lot might like this, too. And Rivulets, another too overlooked artist, builds atmospheres that are kindled with the fear&dread evoked by Boduf songs.
His latest album, How shadows chase the balance might, at times, be catchier than the earlier releases. Hell, some songs are embellished with drums! And the banjo-driven "last glimmer on a hill at dusk" has a steady melody for sure and I suppose it is the most "cheerful" songs Sweet has ever written (oh wait, lyrically, darkness prevails). Sweet's voice sounds fresh and sometimes it feels like he uses a larger spectrum of his voice (on gorgeous "Quiet when group" he uses a higher pitch). "Things not to be done on the sabbath" is a standout track, in which Sweet's guitar and banjo work is simply shimmering but, on the other hand, this is a far less experimental affair than his earlier albums, which is a bit of a shame - a sprinkle of noise is always (or mostly) fun.
Still, it's not all sugary melancholia. There are some disturbing sounds in the background of many songs that add a layer to the atmosphere.
I predict that How shadows chase the balance will be one of those albums that I will play now and then many years from now, just like Boduf songs.

Well, to make my case: Boduf songs is a good artist and you should listen to his songs.