I got Damien Jurado's new album, Caught in the Trees, when it was released last week. I liked Jurado's last few albums, but none of his releases since I Break Chairs have really struck me as anything other than "above average." Which is good, I guess. But this is a guy that should be knocking them out of the ballpark, not hitting line drives.

Which is why I was really happy to hear Caught in the Trees. The press material for the album talks about how his lyrics have changed, and how his bandmates do well by him. And so on. What hit me the most, though, was how loose and energetic this release is. There are still plenty of mopey ballads about jealous lovers and pill-popping alter egos, but the album feels a lot more sly. A lot more fun. On My Way to Absence and the albums pre- and proceeding it were good, but put me to sleep. Caught in the Trees stirs me, jolts me awake.

A few of the tracks rock more than (almost) anything else he's done. The slower songs, which are in the majority, are almost all memorable upon first listen. I can't shake the opening track "Gillian Was a Horse"; it's clinging to my brain like two edges of plastic wrap accidentally folding in on themselves. And the closer, "Predictive Living," may be my favorite Jurado song right now; simple, poetic and — for once — self-reflexive lyrics that wink and nod at all Jurado has written since his first full-length.

I wasn't expecting anything other than OK Jurado album. I'm happy to say that I was very wrong.

I've been meaning to start a thread on this album for a week. Thanks for starting it Jason. You also saved me the problem of having to be original because you said just about everything I wanted to say about the album.

There was a time when Damien Jurado was probably one of my three favorite artists. Ghost of David is still one of my top-10 albums. I liked the rock energy of I Break Chairs. And "Ohio", "Reheasals for Departure", and "Honey Baby" from Reheasals for Departure? Fantastic. Since then everything has felt like going through the motions, making music because he has too. While each album has had a moment or two, as a whole they haven't been strong. As a result I have become less of a believer and I too wasn't expecting much from Caught in Trees. Boy was I pleasantly wrong.

As we are told in closing track "Predictive Living", Damien Jurado is now a band or as he says it "Three became a name." Having permanent bandmates has done him well giving the album a freshness and focus that was lacking. While he still the solo writer for 11 of the 13 tracks, just having a permanent band that he has been playing with for a while gives the album a vibrancy. The hooks are hookier, the grit is grittier, and the dark is darker.

"Gillian was a Horse" is his catchiest song since "Honey Baby". I cannot get the chorus out of my head: "I'm no lie detector/he's no bullshit talker". "Trials" is a subtle little pop piece that sounds like vintage early period Jurado. "Caskets" is a big rocker. The middle of the album slows down a bit and is aided by some of his best lyrics in a while. The high point of the album comes at the end - "Best Dress" - a genuine five-star Crazy Horse-esque duet that makes you wonder why this song isn't a standard. It's top notch.

If you've given up on Jurado - don't. It might be time to re-visit him.

I'm not the only one who digs this album, my wife - who likes Damien Jurado but is not a gushing fangirl - is obsessed. She's been listening to it non-stop. So much so, she even googled about the album and found...this thread.

I've been spinning it non-stop since I got it. It's really great. I'm surprised to see so few reviews of it, and the ones that are out there (Tiny Mix Tapes, etc.) are all positive in a 'ho hum' way. I wonder if the Andersons and I are the only ones who really enjoy this album.

I'm wondering if the lack of reviews and the ho hum attitude stems from the relatively largeness of Jurdado's back catalouge. A great deal of my excitement about Caught in Trees comes from its superiority over recent efforts. Listened to within the canon of Jurado's oveture its pretty impressive. I suppose as a stand alone album to the reviewer not overly familiar with his work it could be merely "above average". However, for my money when you look at all of Jurado's work he's more than average or above-average - he's written quite a collection of top-notch songs. If he ever put out a greatest hits album, it would be a killer.

So I guess what I'm saying is that considering the trajectory of Jurado's career Caught in Trees is a high point of an album by an artist who has some pretty high highs.

Paste gives it a 78. Brian Howe seems to think the album is less tongue-in-cheek than I do:



While Howe mentions "jabs at the record industry", I take the whole song to be a stab at his credits in a "yeah, I'm aware of my own shortcomings as an artist" sort of way. Especially the songs lyric about singing out of tune to words better said (which I interpret as other's lyrics, not his own.)

Naturally, I think the album is better than a 78, but overall the review is well thought out and argued.

I don't really have much to add to the conversation that hasn't been said. Just thought I'd add another recommendation. While I've only heard half the songs (numerous times), I really really like them. I, like Kyle, am/have been a big Jurado fan but have been disappointed with recent efforts. This one has me excited again.

I don't think it will displace Rehearsals for Departure (my favorite) or Ghost of David but it's dang good (at least the half I've heard).

Kyle, that "Gillian was a Horse" chorus has been bouncing around my brain for days too.

PopMatters has a good 8/10 review of Caught in Trees.

This album is still near the top of my favorite list from '08, a good sign it'll have staying power for the years to come. That said, Jurado is today's featured artist on Daytrotter, rolling out several slightly sparse cuts of Caught in the Trees tracks. But the real clincher is the even more sparse version of his fan favorite "Ohio." It's just piano with some slight atmospheric noises in the background, at maybe half the tempo of the studio version. It's chilling, and certainly worth a listen.

Thanks for that heads up Jason. I'm downloading it right now. I'm also enjoying the bits of info Jurado gives about the songs. Who knew "Ohio" was written while on painkillers.

As well, I think this album is holding up quite nicely. While I say that as an unashamed fan, I'm an honest one. I don't think the last two LP's have been all that great.

I'm also an unabashed fan, and I really don't think he has too many "great" albums. I agree about the last two, for sure, but even think Rehearsals for Departure is spotty, and Ghost of David has a few shaky spots.