Vetiver: Thing of the Past

Label: Gnomonsong

Bay-area folkie collective Vetiver has returned from a prolonged silence with this stunning covers record. Bandleader Andy Cabic picked 12 songs by his favorite and most influential artists, including standout tracks by Elyse Weinberg, Loudon Wainwright III and even a Hawkwind jam! The result is a more straight-ahead roots/Americana sound than we’re used to from Vetiver, who fell a little more on the freak side of freakfolk on prior outings. The faithful renditions and cameo appearances from the angelic Vashti Bunyan and the legendary Michael Hurley (guesting on his own song, no-less!) give the album an almost reverent feeling, much more a tribute to the band’s heroes than a self-involved set of revamped quirky covers. More than anything, Thing of the Past is a perfectly paced, excellently realized album for, from and about beautiful music. (Fred)