Haley Bonar's "Golder"

Like I stated in an earlier post, I once again completed my Haley Bonar collection when I picked up her newest album Golder at her CD release show. It was held on April 22nd at the Cedar Cultural Center, which is a venue I am appreciative (other than for parking purposes) that she picked for such a show.

I could write what I thought about the show, but it would be a pitiful attempt in comparison to what Natalie Gallagher wrote for City Pages (here).
What I can add:

• The set was actually designed by her sister Torey, who was also the one to do the painting on the cover of the CD (the painting was hung up at the show and Haley even wittily remarked, "We may even let you smell it for a dollar."). 
• It is not surprising that the set list, before the encore, ended with "Candy Machine Gun" as it is Torey's favorite song (or has been professed as such at other shows).
• I wish that there had been less volume given to Jeremy and Jacob's guitars, as they sometimes overpowered Haley's vocals and made it harder to hear her. 
• I was over-joyed when she played "Us" (Lure the Fox) during the encore, as it has been my favorite Haley song.

Now for the album itself: of course I like it, it's Haley! It is definitely the type of album that I want to listen to on repeat. It starts with "Candy Machine Gun," which is a great opening song for a Haley album. It has elements of typical Haley country folk, but also a little bit of rock 'n roll. I can see why it would be one of Torey's favorites.



It ends with "Wendybird," which is the type of song that prevents you from simply moving on from it, which is part of the reason that I often end up listening to the album all over again. The banjo and cello on this song, along with Haley's heartbreaking vocals about growing up make this song beautifully and simply bitter-sweet.



My favorite song (currently) from this album is "Anyway Rattlesnake." I'm really loving the line, "So please forget the things I said, I was dark in the heart, and deep in my head but I want you to know that I loved you the best anyway."



Overall, I think that this is the Haley album that I've listened to so repeatedly, though I don't think her lyrics are as strong as they have been in the past (please go listen to her album Lure the Fox). You may really enjoy Golder too, so you should give it a listen! If you're not sold, download the track "Raggedy Man" for free (here) and give Haley a chance.

(Tour Dates are featured after the break)



Tour Dates:

may

sunday, may 15, 2011

Lynlake Street Festival / Minneapolis, MN
FREE Show / All Ages / 4:30PM.

June

Friday, June 3, 2011

WOJB Concert Series at The Park Theater / Hayward, WI
$15.00 Adv, $20 Door/ All Ages / Time 7:30PM

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Paramount Theatre & Visual Arts Center / St. Cloud, MN
Supporting Gary Louris & Friends / $8.00 / All Ages / 7:00PM

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Terrace @ University of Wisconsin / Madison, WI
Support: Judson Claiborne / FREE Show / All Ages / 9:00PM

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Ann Arbor Summer Festival (Power Center)/ Ann Arbor, MI
Supporting Andrew Bird /$30.00-$45.00 / 8:00PM

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Club Cafe / Pittsburgh, PA
w/ Daniel Martin Moore / $12.00 / 21+ / 7:30PM

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The Bell House / Brooklyn, NY
w/ Holcombe Waller and Daniel Martin Moore / $13 adv, $15 dos / 21+ / 8:30PM

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Cafe 939 / Boston, MA
w/ Holcombe Waller and Daniel Martin Moore / $10 adv, $12 dos / All Ages / 8:00PM

Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Mercury Lounge / New York, NY
w/ Holcombe Waller and Daniel Martin Moore / $13 adv, $15 dos / 21+ / 6:30PM

Friday, June 24, 2011

World Cafe Live (Upstairs) / Philadelphia, PA
w/ Holcombe Waller and Daniel Martin Moore / $12 adv, $14 dos / All Ages / 9:00PM

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Sixth & I Synagogue / Washington DC
w/ Holcombe Waller and Daniel Martin Moore / $12 adv, $15 dos / All Ages / 8:00PM

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall / Asheville, NC
w/ Holcombe Waller and Daniel Martin Moore / $8 adv, $10 dos / All Ages / 8:00PM

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The End / Nashville, TN
w/ Holcombe Waller and Daniel Martin Moore / $8 / 18+ / 10:00PM

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Off Broadway / St. Louis, MO
w/ Holcombe Waller and Daniel Martin Moore / $10 / 18+ / 8:30PM

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Rudyard Kipling House / Louisville, KY
w/ Holcombe Waller and Daniel Martin Moore / $10 / 21+ / 7:30PM

July

Friday, July 01, 2011

The Englert Theatre / Iowa City, IA
w/ Holcombe Waller / $12 / All Ages / 8:00PM

Saturday, July 02, 2011

The Hideout / Chicago, IL
w/ Holcombe Waller / $10 adv, $12 dos / 21+ / 9:00PM

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Woodbury Lakes / Woodbury, MN
CHILDREN’S SHOW / FREE / 10:00AM

August

Friday, August 5, 2011

LOLLAPALOOZA (Kidzapalooza) / Chicago, IL
Kid’s stage / All Ages

Saturday, August 6, 2011

LOLLAPALOOZA (Kidzapalooza) / Chicago, IL
Kid’s stage / All Ages

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities / Arvada, CO
Supporting Andrew Bird / All Ages / 7:00PM

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Chautauqua Auditorium / Boulder, CO
Supporting Andrew Bird / All Ages / 800PM