Leave it to Kurt Vile to release a 52-minute album and call it an EP. Vile never seems to be in a hurry to get to the end of a song. He rambles and sways through 7 or 8 minutes of jangly guitar riffs, slow motion vocals, and richly-layered compositions that live and die by the motto “The journey is the most important part, not the destination.” His music feels pulled from stream-of-consciousness jamming, and culled together with a wing and a prayer. But Vile has such a likable way about him that you get pulled into his journey with relative ease.
Back To Moon Beach is Kurt Vile’s latest release, after last year’s (watch my moves). It’s 9 songs,(6 on the vinyl release) two of which are covers. Kurt Vile continues to hone his songwriting skills, bringing melodies into sharper focus and up from the hazy waters from which they came. He’s settling into his classic American songwriter position nicely.
Sufjan Stevens has Kurt Vile beat by 7 minutes when it comes to longest EP release with his All Delighted People EP coming in at 59 minutes. But this isn’t a competition. Vile does his thing his way and we’re the better for it. “Another good year for the roses” opens the EP with a great rolling groove and tasteful piano that brings to mind Vile’s album b’lieve i’m goin’ down. The song delves into beautiful chaos at the end. “Touched somethin (caught a virus)” is a beautiful strummer with ghostly tremolo guitar and mournful lyrics. The steel guitar of late musician Rob Laasko adds real depth to the song. “Like a wounded bird trying to fly” with its electro beat and birds chirping has a dreamy feel to it. It’s reminiscent of the vibes found on Vile’s Wakin’ on a Pretty Daze.
The vinyl version of this album ends on the beautiful “Tom Petty’s Gone(but tell him I asked for him)”, a highlight on this epic EP. Lamenting on the loss of a music legend and Vile never getting to meet him, it’s a bit country and a bit folksy with Vile delivering a bright-eyed vocal delivery.
The digital version of the EP includes three other tracks, a great cover of Dylan’s “Must Be Santa” with Vile’s daughters singing back up. Vile also covers Wilco’s “Passenger Side” to great effect, giving the nearly 30 year old song new life. There’s also a different mix of “Cool Water” from (watch my moves).
52 minutes an EP does not make, but we’ll forgive Kurt Vile for that. Because it’s still 52 minutes of Kurt Vile, so who’s going to complain? Not me. Back To Moon Beach is worth the trip.
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