Plankton: Is this the most underrated album of 2009?

Not to go around pulling unnecessary punches - after all, For Emma… was a great record - but in the face of Timber Timbre’s self-titled, Bon Iver’s cabin heartache feels decidedly tame. While Justin Vernon was warming up by the fire, Taylor Kirk (aka Timber Timbre) was contracting a deadly fever. It’s here, committed to tape, a distinct earthen charm that we’ve heard in various forms before, but rarely as haunting or distinguished as this.

There are definite sonic comparisons to be made with Antony Hegarty and M. Ward; the vocal timbre of the former, an intentioned timber (a shared methodology perhaps) with the latter. Another strong root to the record is the gritty blues territory originally outlined by The Animals, an influence worn very much on the sleeve at times (see the lyrics of Until The Night Is Over, or the organ solo in Trouble Comes Knocking). The various shades really add up - Timber Timbre is an intoxicating record peering in upon itself with a gentle but fearful stare, and it deserves more attention than popular opinion has, thus far, been inclined to give.

MP3: ‘Demon Host’ - Timber Timbre
MP3: ‘No Bold Villain’ - Timber Timbre

You can find the album on Amazon and Spotify.

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