DEPARTMENT OF EAGLES
in ear park

we know that it has been a great year for new records, but this album sits right at the top of the pile of albums of the year - imagine van dyke parks recording richard swift, but without too many flourishes - very beautiful, and if you are loving the bon iver album you really should check this out. 4ad (on fire at the moment) have picked them up for the uk; 'in ear park' was recorded in brooklyn, ny by chris taylor and is a colourful and expansive album featuring an intimate and personal collection of songs. much of the material that singer, guitarist and songwriter daniel rossen brought to 'in ear park' draws on memories from his childhood, especially those relating to his father, who passed away in 2007 and to whom the album is dedicated (the title track is a nickname for a park in los angeles that the two used to visit). many of fred nicolaus' contributions relate to similar themes of nostalgia and mortality, giving the album at times an elegiac feel. 'in ear park' is full of joyful moments, lush production and concise songwriting.