“First came the scream and blood on the floor, the alcohol and the magazines…” I have been chilled, haunted and intrigued ever since hearing the opening lines of Damien Jurado’s amazing Where Shall You Take Me. One listen to Jurado’s songs is akin to eavesdropping on a conversation you know you shouldn’t hear, but have heard too much to tune it out. It causes you to lean forward, intent to hear the details of the infidelity, knowing full well the pleasure of the sin will never outweigh the pain it creates.
Damien’s songcraft gives the impression that one has stumbled across his private journal of songs that were never intended for release. His live performances have been much the same. I have had the pleasure of seeing him a handful of times over the last decade. In place of the customary “Hello St. Louis!” greeting, we are met with introspective, downcast eyes and a seriousness that causes even the rowdiest crowd to hush. Jurado seemed to perform almost self consciously; that is, until his most recent collaborations with Richard Swift.
Damien released St. Bartlett in 2010 and it came across much like a Phil Spector release; spacious, expansive a wall of sound. Backroom confessionals gave way to big drums, mellotrons and handclaps. Jurado is seemingly at it again with another Swift collaboration entitled Maraqopa; it will be released by Secretly Canadian on 2/21/12.
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