Devendra Banhart

Local boy Devendra Banhart makes gorgeous folky music. His last album Cripple Crow is a musical smorgasbord that incorporates numerous influences, with flourishes that remind one of Cuban music or Middle Eastern or southern-fried soul, but it somehow all comes together to sound uniquely like Banhart alone, eclectic, eccentric and genuine. Other locals such as Vetiver, Joanna Newsom, et al seem to be creating a new, modern version of folk that is touching and thoughtful, comforting and exciting at the same time. It's difficult to call what Banhart does "folk," there is so much going on, but in this simple song, he "heard somebody say that the war ended today, but everybody knows it's going still." I think that line shows how complex hope can be. The sentiment is rich, keeping hope alive against all hope. By the way, the bearded one is taken to task for his facial hair choices in Kerry McLaughlin's hilarious post Beards: A Growing Menace. Check it out.

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