Singing Saw (album) explained

Singing Saw
Type:studio
Artist:Kevin Morby
Cover:Singing Saw (Front Cover).jpg
Released:April 15, 2016
Recorded:2015–2016 at Isokon Studios in Woodstock, New York
Length:43:25
Label:Dead Oceans
Producer:Sam Cohen
Prev Title:Still Life
Prev Year:2014
Next Title:City Music
Next Year:2017

Singing Saw is the third studio album by American indie rock musician Kevin Morby, released on April 15, 2016, on Dead Oceans.[1]

Critical reception

Singing Saw received widespread critical acclaim from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 84, based on 13 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".

Mark Richardson of Pitchfork praised the album, stating, "Singing Saw is his strongest album because it shows a process of refinement, and because Morby’s songwriting has become less referential and more grounded. The basic ingredients haven’t changed, but Morby is figuring out how to retain and amplify his strongest points—his weary and wise voice, his understanding of how the musical pieces fit together—and leave everything else behind. On his debut, Morby’s voice cracked in places, suggesting effort that transcended ability, but Singing Saw finds him cool and controlled at every turn, fully aware of his limitations but confident in what he can accomplish within them. His singing is simultaneously intimate and distant, part conversation and part stylized monologue. Single lines don’t really stand out, but Morby’s commitment to such elemental concerns has a cumulative effect, and the album’s lack of specificity becomes a strength."

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeYearRank
MojoThe 50 Best Albums of 20162016
PitchforkThe 20 Best Rock Albums of 20162016
The 50 Best Albums of 20162016
Readers' Top 50 Albums of 20162016
Rough TradeAlbums of the Year2016
The SkinnyTop 50 Albums of 20162016
UncutTop 75 Albums of 20162016

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Singing Saw.[2]

Main personnel
Additional personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kevin Morby (Woods, the Babies) Announces Solo Album Singing Saw and Tour . . Zoe . Camp . 2016-01-19 . 2016-04-09.
  2. Singing Saw . LP liner notes . . . 2016 . DOC111.