Oh, me.

What Will We Be - Devendra Banhart

Over his career of nearly eight years in the music industry, Devendra Banhart, the Californian freak folk artist, has created a stunning amount of music for one man.  It’s also obvious to say that that music has changed dramatically over the years, from something of a home recording sounding i.e. Daniel Johnston, to a more thematic sound.  Long time fans of him might suggest that his earlier music is his best, and they might be correct.  However the inventive Banhart has always pushed himself creatively and, alas, it seems he has reached the end of that stretch.

What Will We Be, Banhart’s seventh and latest studio album, is something of a modest one, considering the boisterous nature of the singer-songwriter.  Back when he first began as in the music industry, with The Charles C. Leary, his tunes were small and often short, but their melodies were particularly inspiring, which probably has led him to the success he’s had today.  Which brings us to 2009, where Banhart finds himself far into his music career with more instruments and recording help then he had back then.  Maybe that’s what led his albums to be more experimental, with a mix of instruments and overlaying tracks.  What Will We Be, however, is disappointing.  For everything the mix reviews said of Smokey Runs Down Thunder Canyon, Banhart’s album prior to this one, you can’t say that he didn’t try.  It was an over 70 minute epic that didn’t waste a minute: yes, there were times when clearly Banhart was fooling around, but there were also times when the music was beyond most artists of this decade.  It was an experience as opposed to a collection of songs and, at least in my eyes, something that would propel Banhart to an even more beautiful album.

This new one, however, feels like a step backwards from Smokey.  Sure, there’s good songs on here, but as far as an album it’s not much.  Instead of having that signature Banhart feel, the one that seems like all he cares about is how it sounds to him, he moves back to plain songs that most people will find regular, and not even appealing.  It’s a fourteen track album that could have essentially been moved down into four or five songs.

The album’s opener, “Can’t Help But Smiling,” is not promising however for a Banhart opening it makes you think he might have something coming.  Four songs into Smokey we got the seven minute long epic “Seahorse,” which is my opinion might be Banhart’s best track.  However, What Will We Be doesn’t have a “Seahorse.”  After “Angelika” and “Baby,” two standard songs that are catchy enough, we get “Goin’ Back,” which just comes off as annoying.  There’s also “16th & Valencia Roxy Music” and “Foolin’” which are essentially Banhart’s thrown together songs that we could do without.  And sure, the rest of the songs are good, but as far as standouts there are none.  We’ve got “First Song For B” and “Last Song For B,” which are the best on the album, but on Smokey would have been regular tracks.  They’re quiet and slow, the kinds I like, but there nothing compared to “Seaside” or “I Remember,” or even “My Dearest Friend.”  ”Chin Chin & Muck Muck” is essentially a five minute walk through Banhart’s mind, with no true melody, but instead several songs thrown together that is exhausting to follow.  ”Rats” is alright, as is “Meet Me At Lookout Point,” however coming from Banhart it’s disappointing.

What Will We Be has its moments where one remembers how great Banhart is and might long to pull out Smokey or his other standout albums including Rejoicing in the Hands and Cripple Crow.  But for the most part, this album leaves us just hoping for more; that Banhart might find another way to express himself creatively, or maybe even revert back to the days of Oh Me Oh My…  Either way, this latest effort is nothing compared to what he’s capable of and hopefully what he will do.