LP + 7" Vinyl!
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound!
Devendra Banhart releases his Nonesuch debut album, Mala. The singer/songwriter co-produced the record with his longtime bandmate, guitarist Noah Georgeson. Banhart's eighth studio album, Mala was recorded in his then-home in Los Angeles. (He now resides in New York City.) He and Georgeson played most of the instruments themselves, using borrowed equipment and a vintage Tascam recorder they'd found in a pawn shop. "A lot of early hip-hop had been made on [the Tascam]," says Banhart. "And knowing my songs are not hip-hop whatsoever, we thought it would be interesting to see how these kinds of songs would sound on equipment that was used to record our favorite rap. Let's see how this technology would work for us." It was a new approach for the pair. "In the past we were more like, let's use the oldest equipment we could find."
Banhart also notes how his voice has developed over the years: "I don't really take care of my voice, but, just like with playing guitar, you get more familiar with it, and you get better at it. I've always said that Im very good at not knowing how to play the guitar but, really, it's just that I'm very comfortable with the utter uncertainty of my approach."
Banhart's previous release, 2009's What Will We Be, received critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone calling it "the best he's ever made." The Los Angeles Times said the record "found him making comfortable, laid-back folk that didn't sound like a compromise - more like an artist growing into his own."
Banhart has created the cover art for most of his records, including Mala, and in 2010 his artwork and packaging for What Will We Be was nominated for a Grammy.
"Rather than bray, he soothes. Rather than try on a bunch of eclectic genres, he maintains a slinky, low-key mood throughout. Rather than come on too strong, he subtly woos. Again, Banhart works with longtime drummer and producer Noah Georgeson, but finally the folk timbres have been embellished with some subtle electronics via synth washes and dusty drum machines... Lyrically, he still shades toward the surreal... primarily, love and its loss resonates through Mala... The best moment comes when Banhart sings about love as tenderly as he ever has on the penultimate "Won't You Come Home." - Andy Beta, SPIN, 7 out of 10
Features:
LP + 7" Vinyl
160 Gram Vinyl
Mixed by Noah Georgeson & Devendra Banhart at the Maid's Room
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound
Two Bonus Tracks (on 7" vinyl)
Exclusive poster
Musicians:
Devendra Banhart
Josiah Steinbrick
Bram Inscore
Greg Rogoue
Noah Georgeson
Todd Dahlhoff
Rodrigo Amarante
Ana Kras
Bernardo Risquez
Devendra Risquez
Selections:
LP
1. Golden Girls
2. Daniel
3. Fur Hildegard von Bingen
4. Never Seen Such Good Things
5. Mi Negrita
6. Your Fine Petting Duck
7. The Ballad of Keenan Milton
8. A Gain
9. Won't You Come Over
10. Cristobal Risquez
11. Hatchet Wound
12. Mala
13. Won't You Come Home
14. Taurobolium
7" Vinyl:
1. Something French
2. Loring Baker
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound!
Devendra Banhart releases his Nonesuch debut album, Mala. The singer/songwriter co-produced the record with his longtime bandmate, guitarist Noah Georgeson. Banhart's eighth studio album, Mala was recorded in his then-home in Los Angeles. (He now resides in New York City.) He and Georgeson played most of the instruments themselves, using borrowed equipment and a vintage Tascam recorder they'd found in a pawn shop. "A lot of early hip-hop had been made on [the Tascam]," says Banhart. "And knowing my songs are not hip-hop whatsoever, we thought it would be interesting to see how these kinds of songs would sound on equipment that was used to record our favorite rap. Let's see how this technology would work for us." It was a new approach for the pair. "In the past we were more like, let's use the oldest equipment we could find."
Banhart also notes how his voice has developed over the years: "I don't really take care of my voice, but, just like with playing guitar, you get more familiar with it, and you get better at it. I've always said that Im very good at not knowing how to play the guitar but, really, it's just that I'm very comfortable with the utter uncertainty of my approach."
Banhart's previous release, 2009's What Will We Be, received critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone calling it "the best he's ever made." The Los Angeles Times said the record "found him making comfortable, laid-back folk that didn't sound like a compromise - more like an artist growing into his own."
Banhart has created the cover art for most of his records, including Mala, and in 2010 his artwork and packaging for What Will We Be was nominated for a Grammy.
"Rather than bray, he soothes. Rather than try on a bunch of eclectic genres, he maintains a slinky, low-key mood throughout. Rather than come on too strong, he subtly woos. Again, Banhart works with longtime drummer and producer Noah Georgeson, but finally the folk timbres have been embellished with some subtle electronics via synth washes and dusty drum machines... Lyrically, he still shades toward the surreal... primarily, love and its loss resonates through Mala... The best moment comes when Banhart sings about love as tenderly as he ever has on the penultimate "Won't You Come Home." - Andy Beta, SPIN, 7 out of 10
Features:
LP + 7" Vinyl
160 Gram Vinyl
Mixed by Noah Georgeson & Devendra Banhart at the Maid's Room
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound
Two Bonus Tracks (on 7" vinyl)
Exclusive poster
Musicians:
Devendra Banhart
Josiah Steinbrick
Bram Inscore
Greg Rogoue
Noah Georgeson
Todd Dahlhoff
Rodrigo Amarante
Ana Kras
Bernardo Risquez
Devendra Risquez
Selections:
LP
1. Golden Girls
2. Daniel
3. Fur Hildegard von Bingen
4. Never Seen Such Good Things
5. Mi Negrita
6. Your Fine Petting Duck
7. The Ballad of Keenan Milton
8. A Gain
9. Won't You Come Over
10. Cristobal Risquez
11. Hatchet Wound
12. Mala
13. Won't You Come Home
14. Taurobolium
7" Vinyl:
1. Something French
2. Loring Baker
