Eric Bachmann
To the Races (Saddle Creek)
By Jim Keller
Published: September 25th, 2006 | 1:43pm
Believe it, autumn is here and with its cool wisps of wind that knock leaves to the ground comes Eric Bachmann’s first release under his full name (he has recorded under Crooked Fingers and played in Archers of Loaf.) To the Races is a delightful acoustic guitar, folk endeavor accented with harmonica, piano, and violin; a hell of a way to leave summer behind.
Something tells me Bachmann knew To the Races would be released during the fall when he closed his van door after living and writing the album’s songs in it during the summer of 2005. It’s as if he trapped the melodies inside to ferment like wine, enabling them to develop the optimum pitch to deliver maximum pleasure. Album opener, “Man O’ War” features Miranda Brown’s gentle backing vocals, which give Bachmann’s downhearted vocals a nudge to push the song to a higher plane. Violinist, Tom Hagerman (from DeVotchKa) is also featured on tracks like “Home” and the title track, which gives the album further dimension, though Bachmann’s voice and guitar work alone prove solid enough to hold it together.
Truth be told, I thought I would mourn the in-your-face vocal rants and explosive guitar anthems of Archers of Loaf once Bachmann struck out on his own, but To the Races proves he is as much an indie-folk star as he was an indie-rock star. The way his voice lulls and comforts, it fits right alongside warm sweaters and cups of hot chocolate. Why lament summer when you can celebrate autumn?
Issue #25
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