Dark Night of the Soul is a big musical collaboration between the band Sparklehorse, ubiquitous producer Danger Mouse, a whole bunch of other people, and David Lynch, who provides an high price artbook full of accompanying visuals (and may or may not give an uncredited vocal performance on the title track); the album is made up of fuzzy, melencholy vignettes about “dark” themes like revenge and suffering but with an overwhelming pop sensibility – the results often live up to the contributor’s reputations and add to the album’s engaging mood (Wayne Coyne on “Revenge”, Iggy Pop on “Pain”, Vic Chestnutt’s “Grim Augury”) but as with any kitchen with this many cooks, missteps are bound to arise. (Nina Persson’s two tracks are pretty meh and Frank Black seems misused)

Blank Slate: Due to an “ongoing dispute” between Danger Mouse and EMI, Dark Night of the Soul will probably never see an official release. It is widely available online though, and those who purchase “the album” receive either the limited edition Lynch art book or a poster, depending on what package they choose, and a blank CD-R to “use [as they] will”. I assume that means they should put the new Jonas Brothers album on it.

7.7 / 10

Self-released
2009

Few bands can pull off the electonica/modern rock sound, but Super Furry Animals certainly do on Dark Days/Light Years – while the title indicates darker moments, it manages to stay catchy and fun throughout; it is very upbeat, bouncy, and loud and includes glam rock elements (“Inconvenience”) psychedelia, and hard-edged modern rock (“Crazy Naked Girls”), with the sound moving effortlessly through John Lennon-esque moments (“Mt.”) into David Bowie-esque moments (“Moped Eyes”).

Rating: 8.1 / 10

April 13, 2009
Rough Trade