Nino Rojo

Artsy original folk. This is a companion album to Rejoicing in the Hands, released earlier this year, essentially CD number 2 of that album, assembled from the same sessions (as opposed to “outtakes and demos” albums – remember, he’s not dead yet).
As evident also in Rejoicing, and given the incredible productivity, Banhart is a great songwriter, this time with more traditional and psychedelic folk music then before. There are a few more “produced” tracks on this one, more instrumentation. The vocals are very distinct, with lyrical subjects that range from the endearingly absurd to the genuinely touching. The production is warm and sincere as always, sounding as if it was recorded long time ago, by someone much older.
Some call it artsy, some call it pretentious. To prove/disprove your theory, here’s the partial list of animals mentioned in this album: sparrow, spider, owl, monkey, crab, pig, horse, dog. Start with 1,3,2,4,5,6,9,12,16

1. ** Excellent cover of the Ella Jenkins classic, accompanied only by an acoustic guitar. **
2. * Spanish-like guitars and trembling vox, reminiscent of Caetano Veloso. *
3. ** Fine lyrics, classic slow folk that takes off at the end (with a big-band feel plus trombones). **
4. * Picking leads around in circles, so do the lyrics, cool, beautiful melody, relaxing *
5. * Beautiful simple love song. Very mellow synth backdrop.*
6. * Love poetry at it's best: bright, gorgeous, sweet. Backing/echoing vox. *
7. Somewhat slower, darker. Trembling vox.
8. Fuller instrumentation and production (percussion!), spychedelicly repetitious, slow.
9. * Opens with Banhart making vox exercises, exceptional sparse arrangement, monotonic yet beautiful. *
10. Ambient nature sounds, banjo strum. Very repetitious, brief chorus, beautiful theme.
11. Dark, multiple vox, strange lyrics.
12. * Maybe the most "communicative" track, almost indie-pop/folk. Slow.*
13. Full production again, percussion, keyboard, multiple vox. Fades off everything but the piano and quiet guitar for a slow finale. Nice. *
14. Quick picking, some plucked strings, violin. Long repetitive acoustic solo ends.
15. Toned down mumbled echoed vox, loud bassy picking.
16. * Inspired by “Foolish Heart”? Sounds like a big, slow jam, with many vox (often unsynched and lots of instruments.*