Watching The Nighttime Come
Fronie Rose Music, 2015
http://www.facebook.com/SuzSlezak
REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 03/17/2015
Now here's an interesting impetus for a solo album. Suz Slezak (of David Wax Museum fame) penned some songs for her friends that were new parents. Though they were intended for a select few and given to them at baby showers, it wasn't long until Slezak was getting many more requests for these intimate lullabies. At some point she couldn't keep up with the demand herself, so it only seemed logical to formally record the songs and release them as this disc.
Written by Slezak and her husband David Wax, this first album continues on with the indie-folk sounds of David Wax Museum, where Slezak's vocals and extraordinary fiddle playing have been an imperative part of their signature sound. With familiar names lending a hand here and the Mexican cultural influence of David Wax Museum present, Watching The Nighttime Come certainly has the feel of Slezak's full band while harnessing the subtle power of this talented woman.
“Where Did You Come From” starts things off soft and airy, with Slezak's delicate, breathy voice being backed with gentle acoustic sounds. “You Got Love” gets a little louder, but stays hushed, and it becomes apparent very quickly that this album certainly is a precursor to slumber. Not that it's likely to put one to sleep out of boredom, but because it's just so soothing and sounds so much like night.
Near the middle of the disc, the title track and “Leather Winged Bat” seem more tailored for the young ears, with lots of animal references and predictable rhyming. Though the wordplay gets simplistic on purpose, the music is anything but, with rich textures and a moody, orchestral-folk feel.
One of Slezak's most noteworthy talents, her fiddle playing, is highlighted on the instrumental “Jessie's Waltz.” Meanwhile, the second half of the album provides more diverse avenues of her songcraft on the trance-like “Talis Cannon” and Spanish sung “Cabilito Blanco.” Near the end, “The Quietest Star” does indeed stay calm with pianos and “Yodel Lullaby” sounds exactly like what one would sing to a small child while cradling it in their arms, proving to be a declaration of love and admiration for one's offspring.
Hopefully Slezak isn't just targeting young parents with these songs, because all fans of graceful, relaxing indie-folk sounds will be impressed here.