Langhorne Slim - When the Sun's Gone Down (Narnack; 2005)

(Note to readers - I originally prepared this review for a Pitchfork Media writer submission. However, I have gotten no response from them, so I'm going to display it on here. Anyways, I need to stop calling these reviews. The word "review" implies that I'm rating the work. In reality, what I hate about music journalism is the assertion of opinion. Of course, it's impossible for me to talk about music without expressing my opinion. But I hold a firm belief that music is a personal experience. What music does to me is not what it will do to anyone else. And Langhorne Slim does a lot for me. So here's my "review," and please notice the omission of an actual scaled rating.)

Langhorne Slim’s 2005 release When The Sun’s Gone Down inhabits a section of the record store not often visited by music buyers. That is the Insurgent Country section. Given the small exposure that most have to this tiny characterization of music, a passionate listener becomes so inclined to dig deep and see what this stuff is all about. For starters, the sticker on the album cover displays the term “foot-stompin’.”

With further investigation, we find that Langhorne Slim migrated from rural Pennsylvania to the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn. Fortunately, that is the exact notion evoked by the music. The DIY quality is consistently apparent as well (listen for a strange boom at the end of “By The Time The Suns Gone Down”). Langhorne Slim has claimed a preference for recording in city apartments over an actual recording studio.

One of the stand-out features of the album is the vocals. At times reminiscent of Jack White, but at times an entirely unique entity, Slim’s singing is extremely engaging and entertaining. The sounds also bring to mind Americana acts like The Pogues (but minus the Irish-punk vocals), and current eclectic northwesterners, the Decemberists.

Only the lyrics to “Checking Out” are displayed in the folding case. In this song, Slim describes feeling out of place and missing home, which is common for anyone who’s made the transition to big city life. This, accompanied by an illustration of Slim following a sort of Noah’s Ark wedding procession, suggests that he’s become lost in the madness of New York while trying to expose his music to the world.

Most of the songs are quick and to the point, each one a small treat leaving you hungrier for the next morsel. The album opens with a couple hoedown rockers (“In The Midnight,” “Set Em Up”) which set the stage well for what’s to come. “I Love to Dance” is really the only song that carries a blues progression, despite Slim’s claim to have had the blues since his high school days. The crazy howl at the end of “Drowning” is straight out of a western saloon when most have already moseyed on home. “I Will” is one of a batch of songs which offer romantic gestures. However, his breeziness slightly discredits his message (or maybe he’s drank too much whiskey to care anymore).

Gone Down quickly works into a pattern of upbeat, multi-instrumental tracks followed by stripped down acoustic tracks. This formula keeps the folk-blues elements at the forefront and holds the attention of the audience well. And while it’s the guitar and vocals that drive most tracks, the addition of a dozen other musicians and instruments is what really brings this work to life. Banjo, slide guitar, upright bass, and organ are just some of the tasty tools employed here.

It seems that Langhorne Slim is struggling to find his place in the ever progressing present day, while bringing along what matters most to him. In this light, Gone Down is the result of placing a backwoods blues artist in America’s indie rock mecca. The album feels like the golden days at the end of summer, before the first cool breezes of autumn tease us or the leaves begin to change. When The Sun’s Gone Down is a reminder to relax, dance for a while, taste the homemade pie, enjoy the company. Don’t let a moment of these classic days escape you before the world enters its time of slumber. Sometimes it feels like we’re all stuck in a grandiose spectacle of a parade or lost in the jungle that is the modern world. However, Langhorne Slim proves that you can still have a good time and make the best of things…even if you do have the blues.