Palace Music is evidently the musical brainchild of a certain Will Oldham. This album is a collection of songs he performed with an ever-changing ensemble of friends and musicians. The songs lope along at a dutiful pace, like an old, reliable horse. Will's vocals are charmingly disheveled, yet honest and soulful. Songs of tragedy, love and lots of death adorn this dusty diamond, and as I listened they conjured images of pioneer trails, blue skies dotted with puffy, white clouds and apple trees, leaves blowing lazily in the dry, autumn air. Standout tracks include "Riding", "Little Blue Eyes" and the surprizingly focused "Gulf Shores". This is the kind of stuff I always want to hear at open-mics, but hardly ever get to. Palace Music are in no hurry, and that's a rare treat. For my money, this is about as good as Folk Music gets.
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