Reviewing: Vetiver

Things of the Past
Gnomonsong

Over the course of the last two albums, Andy Cabic has had a revolving door for guests that want to jam with him under the group that he leads, Vetiver.
It's quite a democratic process, and has allowed Mr. Cabic to work on music with pal/label partner Devendra Banhart (or as we like to call him, King B.), Hope Sandoval, Joanna Newsom as well as folks from Espers, My Bloody Valentine, Beachwood Sparks and a whole bunch more.


It's democratic, but almost isn't fair because it always sound so damn good. Cabic's ability to get these sorts of people always equals a fine album of material that goes above and beyond the insipid tag of "freak folk." Now on the third proper LP Sir Andy drifts a rag-tag group of friends (Vashti Bunyan, The Chapin Sisters, The Papercuts, Michael Hurley) into an ocean of cover songs, and in some cases lots of friends guesting + covers album could equal a disaster. This is however Vetiver we are talking about, and they have no problem making the best of covers from such names as Townes Van Zandt, Norman Greenbaum, Loudon Wainwright III, Biff Rose, and a whole lot more.
It seems to me that once you get to the point of a third album, an artist has already defined themselves. In the case of Vetiver/Cabic with the ability not only to work with so many guests, but to be able to pull off a covers album with such grace, they have defined themselves as musicians whose talent transcends the tag's they are commonly given.