| Summary: "Admiral Fell Promises" is another great yet flawed record from Mark Kozelek. |
Mark Kozelek has never been an easy artist to enjoy. Through his various aliases his music has never been overtly complex. The subject matter of his monikers has always been entrenched in the nostalgic traditions of folk music. Kozelek himself though seems like a very uncompromising person. Judging by various accounts of his behavior at concerts and in interviews there is certainly something to be said for him perpetuating the feelings and situations he presents on his records. Kozelek's unwavering attitude towards doing whatever he wants certainly presents itself through both his persona and music. This balance of longing and selfishness is what makes Kozelek's various projects so successful. They exist in the reality of the gray area of people's personalities rather than casting a black and white view of life. In terms of portraying the true nature of loss and regret Kozelek has few peers.
Musically "Admiral Fell Promises" takes a page from 'Blue Orchids' the closer to 2007's "April". Technically proficient nylon guitar playing over subtle double tracked vocals. Kozelek's music has always had a certain beauty to it, but "Admiral Fell Promises" with its lack of other instruments relies fully on his guitar prowess. In terms of select highlights it makes the entire album a collection of beautifully meandering recollections of thoughts. By that same light though the lack of distinction between the ten tracks on the record makes most of the album blend into one lengthy demonstration of Kozelek's finger picking skills. In terms of artists we should be lucky that there are ones as staunchly set in their own ways as Mark Kozelek, but as fans his tendency to create such impenetrable lengthy records makes it difficult to fully accept his visions. "Admiral Fell Promises" much like "Tiny Cities" is a flawed record that is stitched together by Kozelek's flawed persona. His songs, like old friends, fill roles and shift out of your consciousness and perhaps that is truly the issue with his career work; that it is too human.
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