Sharon Van Etten, Tramp, 2012

Sunday Run Album Review

The Mrs and I stopped getting discs mailed to us from Netflix a while ago.  It had gotten to the point where that earnest, Oscar-nominated biopic that we had to watch would just sit there for weeks because watching it seemed like it would be too much of a chore.  I kind of felt that way about this album when it came out at the beginning of this year.

So here it is, March, and after seeing Tramp as an “AmazonMP3 Daily Deal” about a week ago, I went for it.  I’ve been listening for a few days, and Sharon and I took a run together today.

First, there’s her voice.  The Nutley, NJ native just sucks you in with it.  I’m not an audio engineer, but it sounds like it’s doubled-up or chorused on almost every track and the effect is haunting.

Then, there are the words she sings with that voice.  Van Etten’s lyrics are deeply personal – all relationships gone wrong, going wrong.  “Give Out” and the album's rockiest track, “Serpents,” are standouts.  On the former, Van Etten changes prepositions to get at the difference between looking down/out, holding on/out, giving up/out in a relationship.  On the latter, she’s in an abusive relationship where she sings, “Serpents in my mind/Trying to forgive your crimes/Everyone changes in time/I hope he changes this time.”

Musically, the album is pretty spare.  Not Bon Iver spare.  Apparently, not even as spare as her earlier records; but to say Tramp isn’t a rocker is an understatement.  Think early Cat Power.

Produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner, Tramp features some nice guest appearances.  Zach Condon of Beirut lends his own distinctive voice on the beautiful “We Are Fine” and on “Magic Chords.”  Wye Oak’s Jenn Wasner sings on “Serpents.”  The Dessner brothers, Aaron and Bryce, contribute musically on several tracks.

You’ll hear descriptors like introspective, downbeat, and stark to describe Tramp.  Those are all accurate.  I wouldn’t let it dissuade you from checking it out, though.  While this is probably the last time I’ll run with this album, I can definitely see myself coming back to it throughout the year.  Sharon Van Etten is a true talent.  Even with its early release, Tramp should make it near the top of several year-end lists.

Listen to / download "Serpents" here.