Damien Jurado - Saint Bartlett

There’s a familiar lilt in the voice of Damien Jurado. The Seattle-born songsmith may not resonate on the radar of all-knowing indie aficionados, but his Will Oldham-like mourn certainly will. Yet, so persuasive is Jurado’s tenth longplayer Saint Bartlett that you can forgive him a little tonal bootlegging. From Cloudy Shoes' opening notes, it’s clear this is a safe haven of quilted laments which has the dexterity to moisten tear ducts with both pity and pleasure. From Arkansas' atmospheric swell to Kansas City’s tumbleweed of strum and whisper, Jurado proves himself a poignant songwriter with an ear for introspective soul-searching. It’s not a one-track affair mind, Wallingford’s crumpling guitar stomp sees to that, but Jurado is more at ease trading in the reflective solitude of With Lightning In Your Hands and Harborview. Not that it matters, this lonely gem of a record is one to be cherished in full. [Billy Hamilton]