Rejoicing In The Hands
Devendra Banhart
2004
Album Summary
Rejoicing in the Hands (full title Rejoicing in the Hands of the Golden Empress) is the third studio album from psychedelic folk musician Devendra Banhart and the second full release for the label Young God. It was recorded during 2003 and was released on April 24, 2004. The song "Insect Eyes" was featured in the teaser trailer for the 2007 horror film The Hills Have Eyes 2. The song "The Body Breaks" was used in the 2007 film Eagle vs. Shark. The song "A Sight to Behold" was also used in a season 2 episode of "Sons of Anarchy". As of September 2005 Rejoicing in the Hands has sold 24,000 copies in United States, also first four albums collectively have sold 56,000 units up to 2005.
WikipediaSiri, please find me better albums.. *Siri blinks* "I'm sorry, there are over one thousand albums in this list made in the UK so you will have some stinkers. Understood, thanks Siri.
This reminds me of living in halls at university and having to endure the faux-hippy twat upstairs playing his guitar and ‘singing’ to try and impress girls. It should never have been committed to tape, let alone appear in the this list.
This album is a gem, really liked several songs. He’s got a cool voice, simple but solid guitar work, and some clever lyrics. Best one in quite a while
Loved the first few tracks, loved the last few tracks, but I got a bit bogged down in the middle. Overall, I like this Joanna Newsom-y kind of thing: a coffee shop guitar, quirky lyrics. The first lines and the last lines of the first song won me over right away and will be a hymn in my own personal church: "This is the soup that I believe in This is the smoke I'm always breathin' This is the way I share my breakfast ... Well we've known we've known We've had a choice We chose rejoice" I'm interested in hearing more from this guy.
I know I've listened to Devendra Banhart before, he's a very quirky folksy artist. I love his song "I Feel Just LIke a Child." This album definitely fits that mold. Great instrumentation and melodies. His vocal performances are strange, but still enjoyable. It's folk music on a few drugs. I enjoyed this, but didn't love it. Favorite tracks: A Sight to Behold, Insect Eyes, Dogs They Make Up the Dark. Album art: This one's really cool. The drawings seem simple, ancient, and kind of creepy. 3.5/5
Production: 8/20 Songwriting: 7/20 Innovation: 7/20 Bangers: 0/20 Emotional response: 4/20 =26 I have nothing to say except this was booooooring
This is a lovely album of sparse eastern tinged folk music. Lyrics are poetic and sung in a light and personal manner, but with enough tension to keep me interested. In many ways, this reminds me of Marc Bolan's music in the late sixties with Tyrannosaurus Rex. The album is utterly charming and highly recommended.
I love the album cover, but have no clue what is in store. And after the first two songs I don’t have my bearings. I’m think I might be enjoying this - but I feel a little lost. Is this music from India? The songs hint of something exotic… or not? I’m not sure. I like the lyrics, and love the cracking and vibrato in the singer’s voice. By the time I get to “Poughkeepsie” I don’t feel any more grounded. When he starts listing Elvis songs I don’t know what to make of this. I feel like I may be in a parallel universe. This music is familiar and yet very alien. “Dogs They Make Up The Dark” happens and I don’t know if I like it or not. With “Will Is My My Friend” I’m sensing something really beautiful. But I still can’t bring it into focus. As I listen to “This Beard Is For Siobhan” I’m still unable to get a lock on this album or how I feel about it. I understand the words but this is really beyond me. Everything about this album feels just out of my reach. There’s something tantalizing and… amazing?… here, but I can’t quite grasp it. Nor can I walk away. The instrumental “Tit Smoking In The Temple Of Artesan Mimicry” happens then “Rejoicing In The Hands”… am I listening to something in the Asian tradition? As I listen to “Fall” I’m starting to think I need a guide. Did I say “Asian tradition” earlier? Here’s “Todo Los Delores”. The false start is enchanting. Who is Devendra Barnhart? What am I listening to? This album has affected me deeply. But it is also defying me. And I don’t know how I feel about it. “Insect Eyes” is really disconcerting. How can I be listening to a song and be so on the verge of love and hate at the same time?! As I listen I return to the cover art and it now feels soothing and sinister. “Autumn’s Child” is a dirge that draws me in while offering no satisfaction. The album ends. Listening to this was confounding, tantalizing, intriguing, maddening, soothing, familiar, alien. I am moved, repulsed, seduced, repelled and adrift. REJOICING IN THE HANDS confounds my effort to assign a score. It’s almost as if it has opened the door to a parallel universe. I have no idea if that is somewhere I want to be. Yet I am compelled to listen again… …on the second listen I really enjoyed this. Still not confident I know what this is all about, but I’m ready to take my little teeth out dancing and show them a real good time.
Devendra Obi Banhart - born in Texas. His first name was chosen by his parent’s guru and his middle name was from, you guessed it, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I can’t make this up. With this etymology, we have a quirky, artsy, original, intelligent singer - songwriter who sounds like an early days Tom Waits but sober.
It’s ok. Venezuelan singer songwriter, mostly solo guitar, but also some string arrangements. Mostly under 2.5 minutes. I didn’t hate it, so not gonna go below 3, but I’m not sure I’ll ever listen again to be honest. There’s some interesting poetry and guitar playing here and there, but nothing that great. The vocals kinda go back and forth between compelling and slightly off putting. The title track is legit great. I think I’m more of a fan of the more mystical, almost indigenous folk sounding tracks like Fall.
I would say that folk is my primary genre that I listen to and to me this is a decent early 2000s folk album. But as far as early 2000s folk goes there are much more notable albums missing from this list. Sufjan Stevens' Michigan had come out about a year before this and his album Seven Swans came out a little over a month before. Iron and Wine had also just released Our Endless Numbered Days which belongs on this list as well. That all being said I think it's still a good album and I'm just being picky because it is my genre of choice. I think there is a good exploration of different instruments and playing styles without being overwhelming. Which is something more experimental folk musicians struggle to achieve.
Such a new and interesting sound that I actually listened to this album twice yesterday. Will be adding it to my rotation.
Absolutely gorgeous. I only wish it was longer. Not quite 5 stars, but a well-deserved 4.
Very relaxing and chill album. Great acoustic guitar and vocals. Good intro to Devendra Banhart, he's got some other really cool music, I'll definitely be adding to my rotation. Highlights: -This is the Way -When the Sun Shone on Vetiver -This Beard Is for Siobhan -Insect Eyes
Half the album was pretty decent. Kinda reminds me of Sondre Lerche (Dan in Real Life)
Amongst the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Bon Iver in the folksy singer/songwriter scene, Devendra Banhart is a name that stands out. Haven't heard of him before but his delicate playing and storytelling can hang with the rest of 'em. He's sweet and sour at the same time, evoking bittersweet feelings of autumn days with only his guitar and voice. It's vaguely evocative of the more tender parts of Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors", while still remaining distinct. On a sleepy weekday morning, Devendra Banhart is a perfect way to appreciate the time.
gyah, this is a rough listen...repetitive, meandering, pointless plunking. no desire to keep listening.
In theory I should enjoy this - acoustic folky vibe - however it's draab - Minor key central with weary vocals and lyrics...
Había escrito algo hermoso y la mierda esta no me lo guardó, la concha de tu madre, creador de esta mierda.
Ktebt Zouz Saf7at Fy 3l Bouheli Mte3 Dostoevsky, Still Sick, Za3ma Corona Walla Bech Nmout?
Heel leuk album. Fan van het genre, al zijn de teksten soms nogal vreemd
Nice to get an album I know and love. This is the Way is a favorite song of mine. Like lots of great poetry, Banhart’s lyrics lie somewhere between nonsense and profundity. And his heavy vibrato voice delivers them perfectly. The fingerpicking isn’t overly complicated, but the songs don’t fall into folkie cliches. Eccentric and whimsical like listening to a familiar stranger play songs by the fire.
That was brilliant. Took me a little while to get on board with the singing but the slightly mathy riffs/timing is right up my street. Poughkeepsie, there was the sun and insect eyes stood out on first listen.
I was not familiar with Devendra at all, and I was blown away. This is a set of tracks that really feels like a bedroom in the mid 2000s.
The music here was so captivating. It took its hooks and snagged me, dragged me in and imprisoned me in its haunting beauty. Loved it.
Nice singer songwriter stuff. Enjoyed "Todo Los dolores", "Will is my friend",
I generally liked this one, though I found some of the songs a bit…strange? I usually like singer-songwriters, though, and this one was pretty good.
Very unique. A wholly new genera for me. Really liked it. Would def listen to again.
Amo el genero singer-songwriter. Joni Mitchel, Devendra Banhart y Neil Diamond... Me inspiran muchisima paz. Mis favoritos fueron a Sight to Behold y See Saw. Super intimo, cantado cerca del mic y en un lugar chiquito, no se le puede pedir mucho mas a un disco. Me gusta esos tintes de blues de Louisiana que tiene desperdigados por todos lados.
Conosco molto bene questo album perché era parte fissa dei miei ascolti intorno ai 20-24 anni. Devo dire che sono abbastanza un fan di Devendra, per me lui incarna l'anti-popstar, lo spirito con cui lui fa musica è esattamente lo spirito con cui secondo me tutti dovrebbero fare musica. I suoi pezzi sembrano spesso farneticazioni o idee buttate lì e lasciate incompiute, ma il modo in cui lui le interpreta rendono questa cosa un pregio invece che un difetto per me. Sentendo questo album uno si immagina che a lui non freghi un cazzo di fare il musicista figo o maledetto ma che semplicemente si diverte a fare musica in modo quasi un po' infantile. Quando l'ho visto dal vivo ho potuto confermare questa cosa, è stato più o meno come andare a casa di un amico e cazzeggiare con la chitarra. Nonostante questo appunto credo che il suo stile sia davvero unico e riconoscibile e che i suoi pezzi non manchino di profondità a differenza di quello che potrebbe sembrare ad un primo ascolto. Autumn Child è un pezzo che ogni tanto ascolto ancora e che ho sempre trovato davvero bello. Il suo difetto è sicuramente che rischia di accollarsi un po', spesso per colpa degli arrangiamenti inesistenti o minimali, però comunque non riesco a penalizzarlo per questo più di tanto per il discorso che ho fatto prima, anche la ripetizione fa parte della spontaneità con cui scrive. In ogni caso Devendra ha dimostrato che fare il cantautore matto, un po' bambino, ma anche mezzo guru spirituale fricchettone paga visto che è stato con Natalie Portman. Quindi c'è speranza. Voto: 4 pieno.
Questa volta ero partito con l'idea di farmi due palle tante. Invece mi sono ricreduto, l'ho trovato un album coraggioso e carino. Anche abbastanza scorrevole. Alcuni testi mi sono piaciuti molto. Di base è un album voce e chitarra ma ogni tanto spuntano a sorpresa archi, cori, piano e altre features, ma senza esagerare. L'unica canzone che ho odiato è quella in spagnolo. Comunque sia secondo me è un album da 4. PS. Questa è innegabilmente roba tua Daniè! Ora bisogna vedere se c'è alchimia o no..
Takiej odmiany wlasnie mi bylo trzeba, album tak prosty, a jednoczesnie tak wciagajacy, ze chyba juz 4 odsluchy wpadly, rejoicing in the hands to trzeci studyjny album pana Banharta, ktory urodzony w teksasie, wychowany w wenezueli, jako nastolatek wrocil do cali, zeby podazac za kariera muzyczna lub artystyczna, bo jeszcze cos na boku z rysowaniem ma, chocby swoje okladki sam tworzy, ale czym jest w ogole ta plyta, z pewnoscia akustycznym materialem, ktory laczy w sobie elementy folka i psychodelii, ktora w tym wypadku jest oparta na mocnych tekstach, ktore daja szerokie pole wolnej interpretacji, a jednoczesnie tworza obrazy ktore widac zaraz po przymknieciu powiek, zostalem zapytany wczoraj co sadze na temat muzyki latino, zgodnie ze swoimi przekonaniami stwierdzilem, ze nie przepadam za jej odmiana o ktora pewnie osoba pytala, czyli popularne popowe granie z wykorzystalem charakterystycznych gitarkowych elementow, jak chocby znienawidzone despacito, czy co trzeci hamerykani popowy kawalek, ktory musi zawierac cos latynowskiego, natomiast uwielbiam wykorzystanie bossa novy w murzynskich produkcjach, to pewnie glownie zasluga JMT i stoupe z jego egzotycznymi samplowaniami, a wlasnie na tej plycie, ktora jest z 2k04 brzmienie jak u pana bonfy z lat 60, wiec dawno sie tak pozytywnie nie zaskoczylem nowym albumem, gdzie na 16, dosc krotkich kompozycjach, bo cala plyta ma 42 minuty, pan devendra laczy psychodeliczne teksty jak przystalo na kali z brzmieniem gitarkowym, w ktorym czuc latino wplywy, chociaz plyta to wiekszosci kompozycje czysto akustyczno gitarkowe, to sa takze traki o bardziej zlozonej kompozycji, gdzie pojawiaja sie basy, smyczki, klawisze, czy talerze, do tego dochodzi pojawiajacy sie na 3 kawalakch wokal wspierajacy, na tytulowym rejoicingu duet spiewany na dwa kanaly, z lewej pan devendra, a z prawej pani vashti bunyan, ktora na dwoch pozostalych tworzy chorki overdubowane, ciekawie rozlokowane na scenie, z trakow ktore wyladuja na plejce, to z pewnoscia otwierajacy this is the way, czyli prosta akustyczna kompozycja ktora idealnie nadaje tonu calej plycie, fall na ktorym mozna uslyszec o wiele wiecej instrumentow i dosc mocnego overdubowania, bo zarowno elektryka jak i akustyka obslugiwal wokalista, no i dodatkowo sa te chorkowania o ktorych pisalem wczesniej, a wszystko stopniowo narasta od poczatku utworu, zeby dac upust szalenstwu w koncowce, a ostatim pickiem bedzie zkomponowany na podobnej zasadzie this beard is for siobhan, jako ze pierwszy raz slysze zarowno o plycie i muzyku, to tym bardziej cieszy mnie, ze akurat cos tak indyjskiego wylosowalo, bo jednak wiekszosc 1001 albumow to majorowe labele i ich top sellujace albumy, a taka odmiana od niezaleznej malej wytworni jest odswiezajaca, prawie jak pierwsze zetkniecie z pink moonem od drejka, bo to bylo jedno z pierwszych skojarzen po odpaleniu plyty
Ok. I liked this. It was nice, acoustic chill. Only complaint is that some of the backing tracks felt like first drafts. 4.4/5 stars
I was surprised by this album. I could tell it’s psychedelic folk almost immediately. Fav songs: a sight to behold, this beard is for siobhan
I am not positive that I am a fan, but I am going to keep the album in my library at least for a few more listens. There were definitely moments I really enjoyed and others where the music was just there.
I enjoyed the acoustic guitar on this album very much. My appreciation of the singing waxed and waned. I know I would really enjoy some of these songs on a playlist.
I'm a sucker for this type of chilled acoustic folk music. He has the perfect voice for it as well.
That was really beautiful. Distinctive voice and equally impressive guitar playing.
02/15/2022 Chill, laid back tunes. Really nice acoustic guitar and lyrics. More rainy weekend music, but there's a lot to enjoy and appreciate here.
I enjoyed this mellow album heaps. It sounds like the guitar parts from a Nick Drake album, with the dude from T Rex singing.
Imagine my surprise when halfway through 'Rejoicing In The Hands' I googled a pic of Devendra Banhart and… well, let’s just say it was not what I expected at all! I have a good friend (the very one who introduced me to this 1001 LP exercise) who does not appreciate any, and I mean any, pre-knowledge or references to movies he has not yet seen, preferring to experience it himself before entering into a discussion about its meaning. So in the event that he has not had the opportunity to listen to this LP, I don’t want to spoil it for him, or for any of the rest of you. Devendra Banhart, I believe, was born out of time. The arrangement and performance of the songs on 'Rejoicing In The Hands' are minimalist, mostly fingerpicking guitar ala 1960’s folk music, and a handful with an almost early 20th century American ragtime style. Many of the recordings have the sound and feel of live one-takers, captured in a tiny club right before closing, the permeating odor of stale beer and cigarette smoke that hangs in the air mingling with the unrealized desires of the three separate, remaining patrons. Nobody will be going home with anyone, or worse, with the one they didn’t really want in the first place at the beginning of the evening. Devendra’s vocals sound as if Devendra is familiar with this kind of longing; but, also, mercifully, with love. Both hurting and healing may be found in these songs. And sung in a voice that has learned to embrace and endure rather than avoid and deny life’s painful situations. The genre itself has been variously described as freak folk, new weird America (never heard that one), trippy-hippie tone poetry, ashram-appropriate (that one cracks me up.) I like the New York Times’ take on the whole thing: ‘free associative,’ meaning ‘the mental process by which one word or image may spontaneously suggest another without any apparent connection.’ Here’s an example to support that from the second to the last song on the LP: ‘And each strand of… hair is really insect eyes.’ Or the unexplainable (to me, at least) Elvis songs referenced at the end of ‘Poughkeepsie.’ How about this title for free association, the LP’s sole instrumental, ‘Tit Smoking in the Temple of Artesan Mimicry.’ I’m guessing Sigmund Freud, the deviser of the free association technique used in psychoanalysis, would have a field day with this one! All this is to say that it’s probably pointless to spend much time here analyzing Devendra’s lyrics- who knows if I’d hit or miss, or if it matters, or even if there’s a target at all? I did pick up, however, on an awful lot of references to the sun, which seems to shine through the darker places pervading this LP. There was a particularly lovely lyric on ‘The Body Breaks’ that represents this hope amidst the heartache. Following a lot of talk about the body breaking and aching, and that both you and I will get over it eventually, Devendra concludes: ‘The body stays And then the body moves on And I’d really rather not dwell When yours will be gone But within the dark There is a shine One tiny spark That’s yours and mine.’ I can only imagine the experience of listening to 'Rejoicing In The Hands' while backpacking, alone, up in the mountains, enduring the cold and darkness of the wee hours of the morning until finally the warmth of the sun's rays make their first appearance, the daily resurrection of light that the darkness cannot fully overcome. We are alive, thankfully in the Sun’s hands, rejoicing.
An album that I could kind of tell what it sounded like, but not how much I would enjoy it. It's a little trippy, little weird. The first track had me worried I'd hate it, but the record really grew on me. For some reason, paints a vivid picture of hanging on someone's outdoor porch in the dead of summer: it's hot, sticky, warm, but the conversation is too interesting to really care. Favorite tracks: "The Body Breaks", "Will Is My Friend", "Fall"
This is a very beautiful album. Banhart's singing is quite unique. The hollow/echo-y recording of the instruments really compliments it well and the combination really creates a dreamlike atmosphere. The way the instruments are recorded kind of reminds me of Blonde on Blonde. The songwriting is also good, enough variety to not get tedious over the 40 minutes of the album, yet maintains a consistent sound throughout. This album seems to have been slightly ahead of the current indie folk wave, Fall sounds like it could be an Alt-J song, also evokes Tallest Man on Earth and Fleet Foxes. Although I wouldn't call it groundbreaking given the long history this sound has. Overall, very much enjoyed, not excellent, but would definitely listen again. Fav Tracks: A Sight to Behold, This Beard is For Siobhan, When The Sun Shone on Vetiever
This was new to me, so we'll see how it holds up to repeated listens. For now, I'm really into it.
This album really stood out with its simple acoustic guitar and unusual singing. Reminds me of an alt-J album
Oddball but honest - suffers a tinge of over-tweeness of the noughties but still a good record - at times haunting, at times delightful while being very well paced.
Plaintive and less “freak folk” than I remember—but still a singular statement
Reminds me a lot of the Tallest Man on Earth. I loved just about every one of these tracks, especially Todos los Dolores and Insect Eyes. Eager to check out more Devendra. This is the kind of stuff I started this project for! I think if I were in a better mood I would go full 5 for this, but I'm cranky today and wasn't able to get as into it as I know I would other times
Very familiar with more recent DB records but I’ve never listened to this one before. Really enjoyed it, I think this style can often sound familiar or samey, but he manages to keep it interesting with his sound and lyrics. Mostly folky, sometimes lo-fi-y, always bordering strangeness. Most of this album wouldn’t be amiss on a Wes Anderson film, or pretty much any mid-2010s indie film.
This would have fit nicely into the late 60s psychedelic scene. His voice reminds of someone, but I can’t put my finger on who – some reviewer compared him to Nick Drake (who Spotify sent me three times after the last song) but I disagree, other than the fact they are both solo singer-songwriters, playing acoustic guitars. The closest I can think of is Tim Buckley or maybe Ray Davies on a ballad like Sunny Afternoon – but weirder of course. Still it’s very original and interesting material, especially for 2004 and kudos go out to all the people who got this out there. The songwriting is the weak link for me, but with 16 songs sung unaccompanied on solo guitar, I’m not expecting more than a handful to really resonate and songs like A Sight to Behold and Insect Eyes I will definitely listen to again. Between a 3 and 4 for me.
This was pretty good. I don't know if I'm ever going to listen to it again, but if it were playing I wouldn't mind.
00s album, they only keep 3-4 per year in the book so can't read the write up. Never listened to these at the time. Heard various artists I respect saying it was good, just never got around to it. I guess I was listening to Devotchka instead. With that and Devo, that was the allocation for DEV taken up. A really gentle, indie folk album which was perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Lovely finger picking guitar. His voice and singing style strays occasionally towards the annoying, but mostly stays on the right side of that particular boundary. It's also crucially not sad indie folk, which seemed to be everywhere at the time. Some of it is good but too much was definitely a bad thing. Sufjan Stevens being the most obvious example of the good. I think I'll listen to this again in quiet moments.
This was great! Finding someone like this that I never heard of is what I was hoping for with this list. Easy 4 stars and could go to 4.5 on repeated listens
Indbegrebet af singer/songwroter i die stilen. En mand og hans guitar og nogle følsomme tekster. Lidt for meget hippie agtig til mig og kedeligt