January 24, 2012
Wichita Recordings
Rating: 6.5/10
Being revered as a female Fleet Foxes singing Joni Mitchell tunes, one could easily understand my immediate draw to the Swedish duo, First Aid Kit. Well, the descriptions being bestowed upon the throwback folk impressions of sisters Johanna and Klara are completely fitting. These songs are rustic and poetic, and they wouldn't sound out of place around a campfire at Woodstock. As a person who does not typically shy away from modern day hippie music, I can genuinely enjoy this album in moderation. Not taken in small doses, however, this flower child formula can begin to teeter on music exec board room banality.
All flaunting of innocence and incense aside, the music actually sounds pretty good in the right setting; sunny day drives through fields of wheat, for example. The credentials are legitimate too, as the girls have worked with Jack White (but who hasn't, really?) and the album was produced by Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes. It's also hard to ignore the obvious, albeit well merited, name-dropping of Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, etc. I will say that Conor Oberst's appearance on the final track serves as a sweet signature on a simple and summery set of songs. Check it out to add some airy and untroubled warmth to your day.
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