Reviews

Valet

Naked Acid

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Review Date: 2008-02-24

What I adore most about music is the fact that it’s so infinite. The possibilities for creation are endless, the response from others is always surprising and really, until you press play, anything and everything could essentially be at your fingertips…or shall I say, ear tips. With this adoration of mine also comes the lovely and exciting feeling of finding artists that are full of new and original ideas and sounds. This is where Valet comes in.

I’m not exactly sure what it is about Naked Acid that captured my interest, but it certainly has. Honey Owens is the woman behind the music, and this marks the second release for Valet, with its hazy vocals and guitars galore, and so much more in-between.

“Keehar” stands out the most for me, and really almost made me throw up, in an extremely amazing and great way. It made my stomach turn and twist in on itself Actually, I feel haunted by the song, as I’ve continued to re-listen to it for days on end. It’s actually the first song I turn to when I throw this record on. This is one of the many reasons why I love music so much. It’s about the emotions that a piece of music, or someone’s voice, has over you. Music has the power to make a difference in your life, to evoke emotion, to make you feel alive and remember what is important to each of us.

It’s been awhile since I’ve reviewed and had the pleasure of listening and writing about a lovely and talented Kranky artist, and I’m very much delighted that Valet was indeed passed on to me, and I must conclude that the pleasure has been all mine. Since I was first introduced to Kranky Records I have not been disappointed yet, as I seem to be drawn to all of their artists, with some even making my favourite artists/bands lists. They all have a very distinct vibe, and all come with very individual and mysterious ways of presenting music to the world. Spiritual, mystical, original and individual…what more could one ask for, really.

I think a lot of the intrigue and interest in this record really comes from the fact that Honey Owens’ lyrics are so difficult to make out, and so they really could be about anything and everything. They are up for interpretation on a number of levels, and with the rich sounds surrounding the physical words, much is up for grabs in this little package.

Set for official release on March 4, get ready for a little psychedelic, abstract, unexpected, and divine with Valet’s Naked Acid.

Score: 8

- Aldona