It's been a while since my first post. My apologies!!! This post will be for Devendra Banhart's latest album What Will We Be. I have to say that when I first heard this album I was bored, however I think that is because I was driving from Toledo to Cincinnati which is always boring. But the other day I listened to the album again and once it was over I was rather.....intrigued.
The opening track "Can't Help But Smiling" is an inviting song to the rest of the album with its "poppy" sounds (for Devendra) but I found it refreshing compared to the openings of Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon or Cripple Crow which are relaxed and set a completely different tone for the albums. The next 2 songs are passionate declarations of love that not only make you feel what he is feeling but also make you want to feel love.
The first and last songs for B are far more like one song rather than 2 separate ones. They tell a story together but they are just as complete alone as when they are together. "Rats" is by far my favorite song on the album. With the seductive opening bass line to the incredulous break down into the chorus it stayed interesting musically, lyrically, and vocally which is always something you can expect from Devendra.
The end of the album is rather slow but stays interesting. "Maria Lionza" is one of the few songs in Spanish is musically a beautiful overwhelming feeling of joy. The album ends with "Foolin" which is an upbeat song which I feel provides a feeling of completion for the album. Although I did not get to experience the world from an animal's point of view as one usually gets to on Devendra albums, I'm still pleased with it and it seems as though he is growing as a musician. Overall I would definitely recommend it!
