Before
Songs for a Blue Guitar could appear, the
Red House Painters' singer/songwriter/guitarist
Mark Kozelek had to leave his old label 4AD (allegedly over a
Kozelek solo album 4AD rejected), split up the band, and find a new home for his music on Supreme Recordings. Fortunately for
Kozelek and his audience, it's worth all the tumult. This is the solo album
Kozelek wanted to make masquerading as the
Red House Painters album; no other
Painters are listed in the liner notes. The benefits that resulted from his freedom from the group setting are evident on
Songs for a Blue Guitar. The album compiles a diverse group of styles, including gently hypnotic folk in "Have You Forgotten" and "Trailways," and country-rock, both slow ("Song for a Blue Guitar") and fast ("Make Like Paper"), as well as a various selection of covers. Mixed with
Kozelek's traditionally beautiful and sad material,
Yes' "Long Distance Runaround,"
Paul McCartney's "Silly Love Songs," and
the Cars' "All Mixed Up" bring light to the
Red House Painters' typically shadowy songs. The deep beauty and eclecticism on
Songs for a Blue Guitar make it another artistic triumph for the
Red House Painters. ~ Heather Phares