Danger Mouse’s Dark Soul (with photos)
May 16th, 2009 by Nick Truden in News
A while back I had heard vague and unsubstantiated rumors that Danger Mouse (one half of Gnarls Barkley) and Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse) were collaborating on an album. My first reaction was something near to a cliched Napolean Dynamite “YESSSSSSSS!” The project was to be called Dark Night Of The Soul.
Being fans of both artists I was automatically intrigued and excited to see what these two brainiacs of programming and production had in store for the masses. Well, that wait is
finally over. The entire album is streaming at NPR right now and it not only features some of music’s greatest voices – i.e. Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, Vic Chesnutt – but it also includes a book of photography from the king of weird and obscure, David Lynch. It’s a package that, in my opinion, will fail to disappoint.
Sadly, however, the music portion of DNOTS won’t see a release because of what Danger Mouse says is an “on going dispute with EMI.” Instead, purchasers will find a blank CD-R accompanying the Lynch photography book. Sounds to me like this blank CD can (and will) be used to burn the album onto once a person *ahem* obtains the album portion by *cough* other means.
I’ve already listened to the first few tracks of the album and it’s exactly what I would expect from the joining of these two musical geniuses. The intricate beats and rhythms DM has always been known for tagged along with dreamy and/or crunchy guitars brought to us by Linkous. Yes, folks, it’s yet another contender to appear on my top 10 album list of the year.
Listen to the stream of Dark Night Of The Soul here.
May 17th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Just, uh… found… the album the other day and have not much listened to it yet, but I agree with your synopsis after the few bits I have heard. Very likely to wind up on my year end list as well.
Cheers,
Edward