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Tragedy-shrouded instant classic escapes lawyers’ clutches
Recorded in 2009 as part of a multimedia project devised by Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse (née Mark Linkous) and filmmaker David Lynch, Dark Night of the Soul was shelved for more than a year as EMI and Danger Mouse proprietor Brian Burton resolved legal differences that still haven’t been fully disclosed. The controversy nearly obscured the resounding triumph of the album itself; written and produced by Burton and Linkous, it’s a breathtaking set of atmospheric ballads (plus a few rockers) that explore cosmic concerns, from the self-destructive trap of revenge to the possibility of spiritual renewal. Danger Mouse’s spooky signature sound—a mix of shimmering keyboards, fuzzy echo and squiggly ambient noises—provides a mesmerizing backdrop for guest vocalists including Iggy Pop (the roaring “Pain”), the Shins’ James Mercer (the Beatlesque “Insane Lullaby”) and Lynch (the creepy title track), among others. A somber fog has always swathed the album; following the recent deaths of Linkous and contributor Vic Chesnutt, the melancholy is nearly unbearable.
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Okay, 2 guys who worked on this are dead now, so nobody's gonna give this album a negative review - I get that. I guess there's a morbid fascination too, which may make it more interesting to listen to. If you like that sort of thing.
Personally, I didn't like it. Melancholy, yes - mesmerizing, no. I only tuned in for some of the guest artists and was disappointed I could barely hear Nina Persson's voice on her track... Mark Linkous buried her! Sorry, no tasteless death joke intended.
And, y'know, the title of this album may be appropriate and indicative of the mood and all that. But I am soooo tired of people using the phrase "dark night of the/my soul" in songs and whatnot. Hear it all the time. Get original. How about "inky charcoal of my soul" ...it even rhymes! Or "low visibility of the essence", if you're writing about being a ghost now. Some define soul and intellect as synonymous, so ..."No lightbulb in my mind"?