The long awaited collaboration between Danger Mouse, Mark Linkous (aka Sparklehorse), and David Lynch, Dark Night of the Soul, is being released today. To sum things up…WOW.
Tragically, Linkous took his own life earlier this year, which unfortunately resonates throughout the record. But I actually find the record to be quite uplifting and tribute to Linkous’s artistry.
How this record came to be is quite interesting. The idea first came to fruitition when Danger Mouse was working with Linkous on the last Sparklehorse record, Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain. Apparently, Linkous had written a number of songs he wasn’t comfortable singing, so Danger Mouse suggested guest vocals. Along with Danger Mouse, Linkous, and Lynch, other artists lending their talents include Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips), James Mercer (The Shins, Broken Bells), Iggy Pop, Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), Frank Black (The Pixies), and Nina Persson (The Cardigans).
As always, Danger Mouse’s production is as close to perfection as you could ask for. Linkous’s lyrics are hauntingly surreal with dark and light themes, and with photographs created by David Lynch to capture the visual aspects of the record (he also lends his vocal talents to a couple of tracks), you have the ingredients for purely fantastic record.
Key Tracks: Revenge, Just War, Star Eyes, Daddy’s Gone
Dark Night of the Soul is currently available to listen in it’s entirety at NPR Music.
More at http://www.dnots.com/
