Almanac Mountain - So Many Seas

Seacoast NH's one-man outfit Almanac Mountain has released his first full-length album "So Many Seas" today, to much anticipation. You can get it at the artist's page here. For $9.99 you get an immediate digital download of 11 songs and a high-quality 13-page PDF of photos (they are spectacular), lyrics, and more. Later on (early December), a physical copy of the music will arrive at your door.

After a first listen (and having heard a few of the songs in raw form during live shows and in other places), here is a song-by-song set of initial impressions (note: I did not read through any lyrics before writing this):

1. "Rapunzel by the Sea" starts the music off well featuring the familiar Cote sound, along with a great story, and well-timed falsettos sprinkled throughout to good effect.
2. "Boris & Natasha" is an old song that appears to have been freshened up for this disc. It tells an interesting tale, and the new coat of varnish allows it to fit in with AM's current style.
3. "Thomas & Ursula" is a sad and thoughtful piano tune.
4. "Battery Park" is overpowered by the synthesizer and the other tech effects, and feels a bit out of place on this album. I was too distracted to listen to the lyrics properly. That being said, after a few listens, it is definitely an interesting song. It could drop rather seamlessly into a mix of Flock of Seagulls and Psychedelic Furs tunes.
   
5. "My Girl" reminds me of early Liz Phair in meter and tone. A silly little sing-a-long that is well-suited for fireside gatherings.
6. "Eurydice" is a haunting piano song with some interesting background effects. Very heartfelt and moody.
7. "Manzanita" is a carryover that links this summer's EP with the new album. It sounds like a pretty upbeat song by the music, but it is deceptively dark. Dig those harmonies!
8. "Lessons in Laughing" is an epic that wanders all over, but in a pleasing way. It is very ambitious, is interspersed with odd instrumentation, features an interlude with the vocal stylings of one Hannah Bailey, and yet it all meshes together to form an unforgettable song. After several listens I still can't pin down the tale being told, but the images of a frantic cross-country horse race haven't left my mind.
9. "An Emerald Parisian Evening" is perfect for watching the sun set, or for drifting off to sleep on a cold winter's night. Still my favorite after several hours of listening to the album.
10. "Hans & Ursula" - Boy that gal Ursula gets around! A moody piano & organ song that spirals downward a bit melodramatically, and then inexplicably reaches for cacophony. I didn't quite get it the first time through, but it actually works.
11. "My Love is a Lighting Rod" ends the album with a sweet melancholy ditty.

If you enjoy singer/songwriters, you will enjoy this album. There are definite Simon & Garfunkle vibes (without being derivative) on a few tunes, and interesting quirks throughout. You won't be disappointed. And if you missed Almanac Mountain's earlier June EP release "When in Nature", you can get that fantastic five song set here, in either digital form, or a limited edition (only 100 made!) CD-R.

Let us know which songs you like best and why!