Description
Lost Animals is the fifth album by the American singer and songwriter Josh Garrels, released on his own label Small Voice Records in September 2009. It’s a collection of b-sides, singles, soundtrack work, and collaborations created during the time period of Josh’s previous full length album Jacaranda. This album was truly meant to be an extended play (EP) between his major works. In addition to these songs of various origin, Josh also created a few new songs, especially for this album, to bring some cohesion to the family of Lost Animals.
«All Creatures» is as excellent a track as any from Garrels to date, as it reels in the idea of “sacred music” and recasts it with superb vocals, instrumentation (guitar, mandolin, horns, organs, accordion, etc.), and beats. It is more than obvious how much attention Garrels is paying to detail these days. Moving on, Garrels pulls a refrain from «Somewhere Over the Rainbow» for his own piece, «Rainbow», which describes a wonderful place for “weary travelers” to rest. «107» is an expansive soundtrack that melds rambling guitars, Asian strings, and a host of other sounds in a “psalmic” homage. «The Pig Farm» is a simple melody that brings Nick Drake to mind – very pastoral. And the country motif continues with «Indiana Sky». «Just Doin’ Your Thing» has been expertly placed at the halfway point. It has the simple, bluesy smokiness of a timeless southern spiritual. Immediately following is the beautiful «Be Set Free», which develops like a summer storm on the open prairie – you can hear it coming from miles away. Once the beat and vocals chime in, you’ve already been (willingly) drenched. «Patterns» explores a more electronic vein, with interesting synth pads, strings, noisemakers, and reverb that sound like an Amon Tobin remix. «Children of the Earth» and «And What Remains» round out the album, with even more unique sound…Lost Animals is one of Garrels’ best and most meaningful releases to date. The very title of the record expresses some of Garrels’ favorite lyrical themes – hope for the lost, human brokenness, and the beauty/complexity of creation. [stereosubversion.com]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/lost-animals/338654115)
CD tracklist:
01. All Creatures – 5:48
02. Rainbow – 4:14
03. 107 – 3:44
04. The Pig Farm – 1:15
05. Indiana Sky – 3:52
06. Just Doin’ Your Thing – 6:10
07. Be Set Free – 3:59
08. Patterns – 3:00
09. Children Of The Earth – 3:58
10. And What Remains – 6:24
Note: Available at Bandcamp: https://joshgarrels.bandcamp.com/album/lost-animals
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