Damien Jurado - Maraqopa

2010's Saint Bartlett was a weird release for Damien Jurado. Not bad... Just odd. His first time working with producer Richard Swift created an album that felt disjointed. Half the songs played like Jurado singing Swift songs and the other half sounded like Sift playing on Jurado songs. It created an interesting record and was really new ground for Jurado who's signature haunting folk songs were none existent on Saint Bartlett.

The duo's second record together, Maraqopa, is a much better marriage. Swift and Jurado have grown and have created a record that I think better fits Jurado's musical stylings without abandoning the production that Swift brings to the table. The quirkiness isn't gone, it's just changed into something that fits together better.

Nothing Is The News kicks the record off and shows instantly how the two have grown together. Acoustic guitar and heavy reverb on Jurado's vocals kick off the song before Swift comes in with a dirty rock guitar riff that slows over the rest of the track. It's not an indicator has to how the record sounds but it's a distinct change from most of Jurado's discography. Life Away From The Garden is a fantastic track that reminds me of an updated version of Waters Ave South. The title track is about as close to sounding like anything Jurado's done previously in his career as you get on this album.

Maraqopa is full of great songs. Swift's production is almost always perfect. It's lo-fi at it's best. A step forward from Saint Bartlett but still stepping away from the Jurado I fell in love with. A great record nonetheless.