Music Review: Brightblack Morning Light

Brightblack Morning Light
“Brightblack Morning Light”
Matador Records
2006

God I love Ameoba records. I know it’s like saying “Boy I love not being stabbed!”, but really, I love the place. Incredible selection, knowledgeable staff and USED CDs! Yay!

So here’s a little gem I stumbled upon purely by accident, picking it up only because it looked similar to another CD I had purchased recently.

So who are these guys? Turns out they’re a little duo from Alabama (or as it’s know, ‘Bamy) consisting of Nathan “Nabob” Shineywater (on guitars and vocals) and Rachael “Rabob” or “Rabinyah” Hughes (on Fender Rhodes and vocals), two hippy friends who like to hang out, get high and play music.

And boy howdy if this album doesn’t reflect that. Now I’ll be perfectly frank here, because we’re buds, you and I. We’re cool. We’re down. Right? This is stoner music, of the highest caliber.

Now, before you write this album off altogether, bear in mind that I love music in ALL it’s forms. I don’t just write it off because it’s stoner music. I don’t even smoke pot…

That being said, this album is actually as progressive as you’re gonna find in the genre. The entire album is veeeeeeeeeery mellow, yet dynamic and complex. The opening track has a driving hit-hat that carries you along through the unintelligibly languid lyrics. If “The In Sound from Way Out!” era Beastie Boys got together with the Greatful Dead, King Tubby, the Polyphonic Spree and Nightmares on Wax and they all got super duper high, they would record this album.

It’s the rock answer to ambient. In it’s heart, it is quintessentially rock, despite the production, the trumpets and everything, the down-home-ness of this album does shine through. But it’s somehow infused with a little magic that will transport you to the park on a balmy summer day, with nothing to do.

AMG panned the album for just that reason, and I say let’s embrace them for it! They’re unabashedly chill, and yet talented enough to get Will Oldham (aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy) to open on his tour. Sure they live in tents in the Bay Area, so what? If you just need to unwind, or want something mellow to work to, pick this baby up.