 List Price: $15.99
Lowest Price: $10.29 
Product Description: April, the new album from Sun Kil Moon, is Mark Kozelek's first original record since the acclaimed 2003 Sun Kil Moon debut ''Ghosts Of The Great Highway''. 11 songs at almost 74 minutes, ''April'' is a collection of songs recorded between March and August 2007 in San Francisco (Hyde Street Studios) and Seattle (Well Recording). In the spirit of Sun Kil Moon's ''Ghosts'' and ''Tiny Cities'', Mark was joined by the same players as before, including drummer Anthony Koutsos (Red House Painters), bassist Geoff Stanfield (Black Lab), violist Michi Aceret, and percussionist David Revelli. ''April'' also finds Mark in the company of guest vocalists Bonnie Prince Billy, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie), and Eric Pollard (Retribution Gospel Choir).
The album will come with a bonus CD featuring four alternate versions of songs from "April". Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-07-08
Hauntingly beautiful
Much like its predecessor, "Ghosts of the Great Highway," Sun Kil Moon's most recent release, "April," is hauntingly beautiful. The music is ethereal and Mark Kozelek's vocals are bitter sweet. Altogether, Sun Kil Moon has a very distinctively unique sound. I really like them a lot and bought this disc without hesitation the second I saw it. Highly recommended. Rating:
Date: 2008-06-16
Summer soundtrack
Whoah. I did not expect to be this impressed, or smitten, with a Sun Kil Moon release. I loved Ghosts of the Great Highway, but April is a step away from Ghosts, somehow more mysterious and ethereal. I can't stop playing this CD. "Tonight in Bilbao" (both versions) is unusually beautiful. "Moorestown" actually gets me a little teary. I find most acoustic guitar music bland and same-old same-old, but I love the slightly unpredictable structures to the songs on April.
Wistful, sentimental, mellow, but way too hearty and complex to call "easy listening," April is perfect music for lazy summer days. The bonus CD alone is worth the price. Rating: 
Date: 2008-05-19
kozelek is in a rut
sun kil moon is simply an extension of mark kozelek and RHP. he writes, sings and produces everything. there are side musicians, but i dare you to point out a track they play a major role on.
for those who saw kozelek tour the 'tiny cities' cd in 2006-7 with phil carney, you will not be surprised. kozelek created soundscapes with the 2 guitars and actually previewed a couple tracks [i remember 'the light' was one]. the sound was awesome for the first 3-4 songs, ok for the next 3-4 and then got annoying. they were too 'samey' sounding, and took focus away from some admittingly excellent lyrics.
the same holds true here. outside of 'tonight the sky', most melodies are completely interchangeable and in the end, forgettable. unlike some previous releases [ocean beach and old ramon come to mind] there is little tempo or format change to the selections. even the bonus disc changes little. electric versions of some of the tunes would have helped Rating:
Date: 2008-05-05
a mature masterpiece
This is Kozelek how we always knew he could sound.
The music is floating, down to earth and with a lot of presence.
Even the long pieces are very much to the point.
Duet with Bonnie Prince Billy is very much amazing.
This is a thrilling and captivating record. Rating:
Date: 2008-05-02
Another gem from Mr. Kozelek
Quite simply one of the finest American albums of the past few years, well at least since 'Ghosts of the Great Highway". Worth the price for the hauntingly beautiful opening track (Lost Verses) alone. Hypnotic. |
