#2: Paul Duncan>Above the Trees>Gorgeousity isn't a word, right?

Artist : Paul Duncan
Album : Above the Trees (3rd Domestic LP)
Release : 05.01.07
Year Founded: 2001
Label Name : Hometapes
Catalog # : 017
Packaging Type : Single-Disc Digipak
Members : Chris Bear. Josh Berman, Ken Champion, Tim Daisy, David Daniell, Adam Heathcott, Fred Lonberg-Holm, NathanLepine, Doug McCombs, Joe Stickney, Jess Stover, Nate Swanson, Adam Wills
Runtime :41:30
Area Tour Dates : None
Sound Season : Summer
iTunes Worthy Tracks : Red Eagle, The Fire, The Lake Pt. 2, Country Witch, High In the Morning
Sounds Like : Andrew Bird Weather Systems
Rating : A

As the album art for this record indicates, there is a bucolic serenity to Above the Trees that immediaely captures and captivates. Which would make Paul Duncan a breath of fresh air so to speak.

His plaintive vocals are equally familiar and mysterious right at the outset. The pedal steel yawns. Snare drums flit across the landscape of the song like a butterfly through the tall grasses. Duncan's voice is a campfire smoldering in the morning light. And the lyrics, well — consider this from "The Lake Pt. 2:"

Down by the lake--the thunder booms and clouds cascade
Grass overflows--the water rises through your toes
You fit this place--the way you breathe--your hair--your face
You are a ghost--standing still in opaque clothes

Like all great art, the record and all of its elements are kept in a delicate balance between darkness and light. Spoiler warning: light wins out on this one. There's just too much love and warmth pulsing through Above the Trees' beautiful veins for it not to.

I have no idea who Paul Duncan is. I've never heard his other albums, I've never seen his name in anyone's liner notes. And yet, some may recognize the album's major players from other distinguished acts such as Jim O'Rourke (Champion, Lonberg-Holm) and Tortoise (McCombs). Frankly, with friends like these, who needs notoriety?

Although, if Paul Duncan isn't a next big thing in indie-folk, I'll eat a Devandra Banhart record (it'd be better than listening to one).

Again drawing conclusions from the album art, one gets the sense that in listening to Above the Trees he is witnessing something stunning and memorable because of (or in spite of) its fleeting nature. Like even a quick glimpse into the world which we have by our own accord distanced ourselves from is something to be cherished — and truly a bittersweet moment worthy of chasing again and again.