Review:

on 2010-02-18 thurstamoore Said:

Doylestown is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population 8000, and is proabably only known for two things - the Naked Zorro, and folk singer-songwriter Peasant. Shady Retreat is Peasant's follow up to 2008's On The Ground. Shady Retreat's title is a perfect description of the memories brought back while listening to it, of sitting barefoot under colorful trees in the summer.

Damien's folk songs have a real campfire, outdoorsy feel with their simple and sincere quality. It is a shy and humble album of acoustic melodies and soft-spoken vocals, similar to those of J.Tillman. ''Well Alright'' is driven by the rhythmic piano chords, and its almost country-style guitar sound. "Pry'' is one of the fuller-sounding songs, with its wrapping layers of deep strings, flute and keyboards. Peasant's folk melodies are fuzzy and warm, like chicken soup on a cold winter day.

Shady Retreat is short and sweet, which may not necessarily be a bad thing. Although it is a good listen, the stripped down melodies are sometimes too stripped down, too simple and too forgetful. In the masses of folk singer songwriters out there today, it is crucial to have an original sound to be truly remembered.

Rating: 6/10