Drifting journeyman Mark Lanegan continues his prolific recording career with a new collection of cover songs signalling his debut with the Vagrant Records label. Aside from his famed career as frontman for the Screaming Trees, and an extensive list of collaborations, Imitations is Lanegan’s 8th solo album and second to exclusively feature covers. Following the rockier direction of last year’s excellent Blues Funeral album, Lanegan reverts back to his signature downbeat balladry, which has defined large portions of his frequently outstanding yet under-appreciated solo career.
Imitations features lush production and often sparse, brooding renditions of childhood favourites from his parents vast music collection, as well as a smattering of contemporary tracks from artists such as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (‘Brompton Oratory’), Chelsea Wolfe (‘Flatlands’) and The Twilight Singers (‘Deepest Shades’). Although I’m mostly unfamiliar with the originals, you can safely bet that regardless of their original form, Lanegan almost certainly chose songs compatible to his downtrodden style of balladry or easily adaptable to conform to his favoured blues/folk/roots and country tinged song-writing style.
Lanegan is an incredibly reliable artist and his distinct baritone sounds as rich, resonant and perfectly rough as always. From the very first spin you can tell from his passionate delivery that Lanegan’s emotionally invested in these songs, with his vocal performance impeccable throughout. The backing musician’s perform seamless sound-scapes to surround and compliment Lanegan’s vocals, adding depth and subtlety to the quiet, dreary arrangements. Melancholy shrouds the album with a sad ambience, creating an ideal background album for a night of lonely contemplation or soul-searching sorrow.
The gentle refrain of ‘Flatlands’ has an emotional pull and addictive hook embedded into a rather simple arrangement. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to track down and investigate the original artist. Elsewhere, the album features tidy renditions of Frank Sinatra’s ‘Pretty Colors’, Bobby Darin’s ‘Mack the Knife’, John Cale’s ‘I’m Not the Loving Kind’, and a trio of Andy Williams tunes (‘Solitaire’, ’Lonely Street’ and ‘Autumn Leaves’). Notably, Lanegan puts his pipes to work in French during Gérard Manset’s ‘Elégie Funèbre‘. It’s a strange yet exhilarating feeling to hear Lanegan’s distinct gravelly growl singing so comfortably in the beautiful language, and the results are remarkably effective.
Lanegan never disappoints and Imitations is a fitting sequel to his previous covers album, 1999’s I’ll Take Care of You. Yet the sluggish pace of the album and its dark, occasionally oppressive atmosphere doesn’t resonate as deeply as most Lanegan albums do and the songs lack the addictive presence and compelling hooks that defines the bulk of his solo material. Perhaps my lack of connection with the originals has reduced some of the charms of the album, or the sheer fact that I adore his song-writing so much. Either way, Imitations gives a welcome insight into the artists that have inspired Lanegan’s own musical journey, marking another solid addition to his powerful body of work.
7.5/10
Reviewer: Luke Saunders