Mark Kozelek has released yet another hauntingly beautiful album under his Sun Kil Moon name.
Admiral Fell Promises has less of a band feel than the boxing ballads of 2003’s Ghosts of the Great Highway or the sweeping melancholy epics of 2008’s April. It’s mainly Kozelek, with his broody voice accompanied by classical guitar. But what a voice it is and what guitar playing he displays.
For some Kozelek is a little too depressing as a singer. Sure his albums are sparse in packaging, a sepia or black and white photo is pretty much all that’s on display. He can also appear detached, aloof almost. His website carries a stern request for people not to take photos at his gigs, like a grumpy neighbour shaking his stick at cold callers.
But to dismiss him as a curmudgeon is far too simplistic, especially on this album. On Admiral Fell Promises the focus on classical guitar, with all its playful flourishes and high tones, brings an effective foil to his voice. The deeper his voice gets, the more playful and higher in pitch is his finger picking.
Melody is something Kozelek should also get more credit for. Within a few minutes of hearing opener ‘Alesund’ I was humming the melody.
Lyrically the content is more everyday than previous albums. There’s no tales of working class boxers, no big issues. A view from a window, such as on ‘Third and Seneca’, or thoughts on walking around New York. It’s an album for wandering and thinking. Whereas April was like the build up to a storm, on Admiral Fell Promises the storm has well and truly passed and calm is all around.
While more low key in production this has the potential to be Kozelek’s most successful album to date. A new audience has discovered him after April’s ‘Heron Blue’ was used to such great effect for advertising for the game Gears of War 3 earlier this year. Those who have come to Kozelek on the back of that will not be disappointed by Admiral Fell Promises and nor will his longer term fans.
What also comes across clearly is the attention to his craft. Kozelek has clearly been studying his guitar playing technique and this album reminds me of the albums of guitarist and folk legend John Renbourne, another keen student of different styles from folk to blues to baroque.
8.5/10
by Joe Lepper, July 2010
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