[.ca] Spoon And Rafter

listen to the music:
Mojave 3 has been around for seven years and this is their fourth album. Cornwall native Neil Halstead did a solo record, Sleeping On Roads, last year, and it was received well. Much of their work is about lost love and emotional states. This expression has brought out the girls in search of a sensitive poet. Mojave 3 recorded this record during the last part of 2002. They have always been into roots rocks and Americana. They retreated to the cow pastures of Cornwall where they have a studio. Most of the band now live in London. This record recalls winter and quiet places. Every song is subtle and packed with emotion. Songs like "Bluebird of Happiness" and "Billoddity" have more piano and moogs than the past records. It's like a record that you listen to on a cold winter day in a dark room alone. There is true beauty in melancholy and loss if you look for it. This record is for those kind of moods.

like a bird you can't touch....:
Mojave 3's latest album is built on a grander, more epic scale than any of their previous records. At first listen, "Spoon & Rafter" may not be as immediately accessible as their earlier records, which have a familiar and comfortable feeling even when you're hearing them for the first time. This album is more complex and subtle. At first I was drawn primarily to the 3 tracks or so that have the "vintage" Mojave sound. Then, gradually, the scope and vision of the album as a whole emerges. Fans of Neil & Rachel's earlier band Slowdive will be glad to hear hints of the previous bands ambience on this new record, as well as a gentle, pale-sunlight-drenched-1970s-California sort of vibe. I just hope Mojave 3 keep them coming because each new album is a revelation.

Same and Different:
This album finds Mojave 3 treading water while trying to move forward into the sonic territory of recent Flaming Lips records. It is a noble effort, but fails in most regards. The only standout track is the opening song which is just perfect. Otherwise it is the weakest Mojave 3 record to date. If you yearn for that amazing Mojave 3 classic sound, I'd point you to the new Honeychurch cd "Makes Me Feel Better" which is just absolutely fantastic. Shilough Hopwood is a genius at song writing and production. Check it out instead of this so so record!

Really enjoyable:
This is great from start to finish! Some of the tunes are epic - all of them are rewarding.

A Gorgeous Album:
As always - haunting, bittersweet, retrospective, and unbearably beautiful. If you're a fan of Mojave 3, you'll love this album. I disagree with those who say this is their weakest album - after listening to it for months, I think these are their most beautiful songs to date. And I don't think Rachael Goswell has ever shined brighter. The highlights are Bluebird.., Starlight.., Between the bars, and my personal favourite Writing to St. Peter, a haunting and subtle song that takes your breath away once Rachel joins in on the chorus. A tragically underappreciated band.

• Bluebird of Happiness
• Starlite, No. 1
• Bill Oddity
• Writing to St. Peter
• Battle of the Broken Hearts
• Hard to Miss You
• Tinker's Blues
• She's All Up House
• Too Many Mornings
• Between the Bars