One (And Driftless)
Gift Shop, 2021
9/10
This is the debut for Left Vessel, which is the brainchild of Nick Byron Campbell, who also works in TV and film music. On One (And Driftless), which showcases the multi-instrumentalist’s experimental vision, Campbell partially recorded in the woods of Minnesota with an Arbow (a stringed live tree), and puts a very artistic spin on modern indie-folk in his very capable hands.
“Arrival (Driftless I)” opens the listen with much atmosphere and very pretty singing in a psychedelic, folk influenced sort of way, and this unique approach continues to the soft drumming and expressive keys of “Hold Your Laughter”, as well as the poetic and dreamy “Society (Driftless II)”.
The middle tracks include the warm acoustic guitar and intimate delivery of “Victory Above (Driftless III)”, while “First Words (Driftless IV)” benefits from subtle strings in a bare climate of powerful, stirring song craft. “Please Don’t Stop”, one of the album’s best, then pairs crisp drums with strategic keys, as the eloquent singing welcomes soulful backing vocals.
Residing near the end, “Put The Divorce On The Credit Card” brings both tension and grace to the charming landscape, and “Je T’aime Tambien” leads with initially just Campbell’s voice and acoustic guitar in the stripped back finish that at the end builds into a bright, textured flash of beauty.
A very ambitious recording that sprinkles the sounds of nature throughout the tracks, the addition of noise from birds, wind, leaves, etc. only solidifies Left Vessel as one of the most exciting projects in today’s indie-rock scene.
Travels well with: Joe Bourdet- Meadow Rock; Mare Wakefield & Nomad- No Remedy;