Amen Dunes is the project of New York-based Damon McMahon. His first album in 4 years, Freedom, came out in March on Sacred Bones. Throughout his career, Amen Dunes has transformed continuously, and Freedom, the follow-up to 2014’s Love, is the project’s boldest leap yet.
From his bio: On the surface, ‘Freedom’ is a reflection on growing up, childhood friends who ended up in prison or worse, male identity, McMahon’s father, and his mother, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the beginning of recording. The characters that populate the musical world of the album are a colorful mix of reality and fantasy. Each character portrait is a representation of McMahon, of masculinity, and of his past.
Amen Dunes (Damon McMahon) has crafted an excellent vehicle for his dreamy and wistful lyrics. His fifth album, “Freedom” is full of metronomic beats, layered guitars and looping synthesizers that range from a molasses dragging tempo in “Satudarah” to an upbeat shuffle in “L.A.”. With an ensemble of band members including Parker Kindred on drums, Delicate Steve on guitars and Jordi Wheeler on keys and guitar, the soundscape was enhanced by underground musician from Rome, Panoram.
And he sets the mood early…”I don’t have any ideas myself…I have a vacant mind” says the intro. This is as much a concept album as any and one is immediately reminded of such, in the vein of “Dark Side of the Moon”. Ironically one of the tracks is also titled “Time”…
While at times it takes some concentration to decipher the delivery of the lyrics, the payoff lies in the freewheeling poetry interwoven with the lush production. The feelings are raw and moody; given that McMahon’s mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly after the release of his last album, one doesn’t have to wonder why.
“Calling Paul the Suffering” changes the mood with some quirky guitar riffs accentuating the bouncy rhythm. By far the grooviest track is “Miki Dora”, giving this writer the impression it’s an ode to teenage love all the while capturing the feeling of the evening sunlight on a California beach.
“Dracula” juxtaposes it’s upbeat city rhythm with dark lyrics; “In the years to come you’d know that Houston loved me wrong”, a retrospective of bad decisions on the streets. Overall I found the album an aural pleasure to listen to. The messages in each song are wrapped in layers and one benefits from listening to them several times. “Freedom” is an emotional cruise down a coastal highway with the top down and the sun setting as the city lights slowly take over.
Amen Dunes ‘Freedom’ album review
written by Scotty Evil
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Check out Amen Dunes official video for Blue Rose below
Amen Dunes (a.k.a. Damon McMahon) is playing Fox Cabaret on Tuesday, August 14th. The show comes on the heels of an international tour with Fleet Foxes.