Review | Damien Jurado - Maraqopa
Damien Jurado – Museum Of Flight
Seattle has always been known for the music. And recently, the successes of a variety of indie-folk bands and a rise in soulful acts from the Emerald City have solidified what many people have always known: Seattle’s got it when it comes to great music. But in an off year for Fleet Foxes, and as new acts from Seattle are growing and growing in popularity, it’s the longtime veteran of Seattle’s indie-rock scene who reminds us that when it comes to legacy and history and great music, you’ve got to have more than a few albums to your name.
Damien Jurado’s twelfth album, Maraqopa, was released this week and it will both satisfy longstanding fans, as well as win over new ones. It’s part psychadelic and part old folk, and entirely a delight. Jurado teamed up with producer Richard Swift, and it seems some fifteen years after releasing his first album, Jurado is finally in a position to emerge from the Seattle drizzle and really shine.
There are numerous tracks off Maraqopa that shine, from the lead single Museum of Flight, which features Jurado’s wavering falsetto, to the lead track Nothing
in the News which features waves of electric guitar that adds to the psychedelic aspect of the album.
Perhaps
the standout track though, is Working Titles, a true folk gem that meanders and flows through choir-like harmonies and tells a story that weaves a long lost love with songwriting that is sure to get any listener to relate: “As sure as the rain that will fall where you stand, I want you and the skyline these are my demands.”
On a whole, there’s an organic aspect and encompassing atmosphere to each and every song. Maraqopa truly is an album that stands coherently as a whole, but whose songs shine individually as well. And this is no album you simply listen to once.
If you haven’t already grabbed your copy, you can grab it here now. Damien will also be touring this spring in support of the album. You can check out all of the tour dates here. And for the Boston folks, he’ll be in town on May 18 at Radio in Somerville. Hope to see you there!
