Songs III: Bird on the Water

iTunes Review

Marissa Nadler is that rare modern-day folksinger who manages to capture a timeless mystery with songs that are obscure yet accessible. Her third album is as enchanting as her first two. “Silvia” could be a wonderful song from a ‘60s Judy Collins album. Nadler’s voice is bewitching. Her guitar playing is full-bodied, deft where it needs to be, and the perfect compliment throughout. The rural Massachusetts-bred songwriter traveled to Philadelphia to record with members of Espers to further the deep-folk experience. She’s often lumped in with the freak-folk movement, but the approach on spooky tracks such as “Bird On Your Grave” and “Feathers” is more in line with the autumnal pull and traditional metrics of Celtic folk, even when drums, electric guitar and a synthesizer’s sudden buzz come beeping. Her cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Famous Blue Raincoat” is well done and a way for Nadler to better explain what tradition she wishes to be a part of. The scattered modern touches invigorate the arrangements in unforeseen ways.