Sharon Van Etten "Serpents" (MP3 download)

201201121743 Sound it Out #13: Sharon Van Etten "Serpents"

There are quite a few talented musicians playing on Sharon Van Etten’s new record Tramp (out 2/7), including dudes from The National, Wye Oak and The Walkmen. It’s a big-sounding album with lush production. The funny thing is that despite an all-star cast of many, you still feel alone in a room with Van Etten and some super raw emotions.

Sharon Van Etten sounds backed into a wall in this song. It crackles with tension and fury, yet both are surmounted by the soaring power of her distinctive voice.

Amy worked in the record business at Enigma, Elektra, Virgin and Sub Pop before she got sucked into the technology vortex. She co-founded the Backwards Beekeepers, a chemical-free urban beekeeping collective in Los Angeles. She runs digital marketing for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and The Hollywood Bowl.

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Excellent, thanks! I first heard this track on an NPR Music podcast and fell in love with it, looking forward to the album!
jeligula

Not bad. I wouldn’t change the station if it came on the radio, but I might if it received heavy rotation. In order for the cast of many to be all-star (aka supergroup), the majority of the listening public needs to have at least heard of them. Maybe I’m simply not cool enough, but I haven’t heard of any of these people. Am I missing out? Something tells me no. Robert Anton Wilson, however, I have read many times.
- jdo
  
  Have you heard of Bobby Butler, Andrew Gordon, Rhett Rakhshani, or Jerome Samson? I hadn’t either until just a few moments ago. Does that make them any less of all-stars for the American Hockey League? I don’t think so. They are all-stars within their own domain, regardless of its size.
  Does the fact that I haven’t heard of them make me any less cool? I guess if I allow it to make me feel less cool, then yes.
  
  Are you missing out on something because you don’t know about the AHL all-stars? Some would argue that you are. Only you can decide if you are or not.
  
  Lastly, who is Robert Anton Wilson? It sounds like he is an author and, if so, I’m not sure how he fits into a discussion about a musician with an upcoming album release. Would knowing him or his work help us understand better the music, the artist, the industry, or something else related? (Or was the inclusion of the author’s name supposed to make me feel uncool?).
  
  *Fyi, I don’t know why I thought to look up AHL all-stars for my analogy. It may be because I grew up near New Haven, CT and I think the New Haven Nighthawks were in the AHL. Go ‘hawks!
Gloo

Did she listen to Cocteau Twins ? I guess she did. Still far from reaching the same energy and talent, I’d say.
vonskippy

“It crackles with tension and fury, yet both are surmounted by the soaring power of her distinctive voice.”

I told my wife I needed those $647 (each) monster cables.

I listened to the track on plain old copper wires and didn’t hear none of that.
- Richard
  
  I think I do also, I am having trouble understanding all the lyrics that appear to be hidden inside that voice.
Todd Maciag

i’m with you guys! i get really upset, angry, and sarcastic when something doesn’t appeal to me! Cynics Unite!!!
Festus

Rats, KNEW I should have gone to hear her last fall at the Berkeley Cafe. Snap.