Lucinda Black Bear
Issue #34
"Capo My Heart" and Other Bear Songs (Eastern Spurs)
By Christopher Morgan
Published: December 1st, 2007 | 12:00am
Going off initial reactions to Lucinda Black Bear’s name and visual aesthetic, you’d probably guess that "Capo My Heart" and Other Bear Songs would either ooze syrupy preciousness or coldly echo in cavern-like spaces. Of course assumptions get you nowhere. Innocent and melancholy, the difference with Lucinda Black Bear is that a listener can easily get caught up in the band’s ironclad big band wall of melody.
"Capo My Heart" starts off in a sullen mood with "Kites,” a track reminiscent of Red House Painters' drowsiest numbers. It and "Fought the Bear" are dreamier, lush pieces with fuller orchestration countered by more sparse, singer-songwriter numbers like "All She Wanted,” with guitar and vocal delivery very much in the vein of Elliott Smith.
Lyrics, on the other hand, wade in the undertow of the esoteric. Metaphors abound, though you can decide the value of the songs’ Poetry 300 phrasings. If they don’t suit you, simply ignore the lyrics since they fit into the melodies like a glove.
Lucinda Black Bear has the right sounds in the right places for sturdy songcraft or a slow waltz of an album. The band has no qualms about being pretty or dreary and it works out well enough. I just wish they'd be a little straightforward about it.
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