Tag Archive: Mutual Benefit


MUSIC I HOLLERED ABOUT IN 2013

whisperinandhollerinIn 2013 I wrote 170 reviews for the webzine Whisperin’ & Hollerin’, an average of just over 14 a month.

In terms of the total releases overall this is a drop in the ocean but for what it’s worth these were my favourite ten albums together with some honourable mentions.

There are links to my reviews of you want to know why.

TIP OF THE ICEBERG – THE BEST OF 2013

1. MUTUAL BENEFIT – Love’s Crushing Diamond

2.ÓLöF ARNALDS – Sudden Elevation

3. ANNABELLE CHVOSTEK – Rise

4. ORLA WREN – Book Of The Folded Forest

5. OLIVER COATES – Towards A Blessed Island

6. SAM AMIDON – Bright Sunny South

7. ALASDAIR ROBERTS & FRIENDS – A Working Wonder Stone

8. ADAM STAFFORD – Imaginary Walls Collapse

9. VARIOUS ARTISTS – The Outer Church

10. SAMARIS – Samaris

BUBBLING UNDER – 10 HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order)

mutualkidsMutual Benefit have already made what is for me the year’s best album (Love’s Crushing Diamond) which contains the song of the year (Advanced Falconry) . Now they’ve gone and made the best video too. Directed by ‘Bangs’,  it uses the simple device of slow motion to show a family gathering of four children and four adults where not everything goes according to plan. The kids are having a great time playing with Autumn leaves. The grown ups less so. I love the faces and expressions, particularly of the man who looks as though he’d rather be anyway but here and a young boy gleefully feasting on dirt.  Magnificent!

IN LOVE WITH MUTUAL BENEFIT

Mutual Benefit - Love's Crushing DiamondI want to shout it from the rooftops but I’m rubbish at climbing and I’m afraid I’ll fall.

I’ll blog the news instead that Love’s Crushing Diamond by Mutual Benefit is the best record I’ve heard all year.

I don’t usually look for music tips from Pitchfork Media – I’m too frequently irritated by their show-off reviewers and their keenness to demonstrate their hipster credentials.

But I’m eternally grateful to Ian Cohen’s enthusiastic write-up for bringing  to my attention this instantly appealing and spontaneously joyful release.

Cohen is right to draw comparisons to Devendra Banhart (and other freak folksters) and to note that these lovely songs are about as un-macho and quietly endearing as you can get. Continue reading