(Constellation, Sept. 11, 2007)

I came into this review with zero knowledge of Vic Chesnutt’s previous output. That said, I am very well acquainted with, and a big fan of, the Constellation Records catalogue. In fact, I look forward to it whenever the Montreal label announces a new release (making the fall an exciting time, as they’ve got four on the way in the coming weeks). So what did I think of North Star Deserter, the first offering from an Athens, Georgia-based songwriting veteran on one of my favourite Canadian indie labels? The pairing could not have been more perfect.

Arguably one of Constellation’s most accessible releases to date, North Star Deserter is still completely in keeping with rest of the label’s diverse output. Not to mention that, featuring contributions from members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Hanged Up and all seven members of Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, it is obviously a family affair—and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t make for a dismally beautiful thing. In fact, I can’t imagine these solemn and dark songs presented in any other way.

Of course, there is no doubt that Vic Chesnutt and his intimate songwriting are at the forefront here. Album opener—and one of the many highpoints—“Warm” bears hardly a touch aside from Chesnutt’s quizzical and soothingly delivered lyrics pillared by occasional flurries of stand-up bass and subtle acoustic guitar. In contrast, “Everything I say” surges to life as the Constellation kids take their intermittent cues to get nuts. Always done in an organic fashion, the contributions vary in intensity from the raucous and impassioned “Debriefing” to the sweet, tender and barely affected “Wallace Stevens”—never overbearing, they serve only to bolster an already strong set list.

On a whole, North Star Deserter leaves many reasons for repeated listens, not the least of which are Chesnutt’s deceptively simple lyrics, delivered like a glib and morbid J.J. Cale.

“It sucks when it’s over/and you can’t get it back/Why do we all want to/like a pack of necrophiliacs”

Chesnutt laments on “Over,” another stripped-down album standout, the subtle melody to which being down tempo enough to fit on the slowest Frankie Sparo release (incidentally, two members of that band also lend a hand on this album).

As Ethereal and delicate at times as it is explosive at others, North Star Deserter is a haunting and engaging release that sees Vic Chesnutt surrounded by a new extended family as impassioned about his music as he is—“For now keep on keeping on/You are never alone.”

—

Take a listen to some tracks for North Star Deserter on Vic’s Myspace page or buy a digital copy of the album here.