Though not quite as meandering as the 11-minute “The Johnny Cash Trail”, “Lemon Balm” is a necessary second single for the forthcoming new album from the always joyful Sun Kil Moon. Steadfast with its feathery piano riff, the song is a six-minute rumination that’s just as tender and contented as its predecessor.
The new album, Welcome to Sparks, is off to a good start with the Bay Area artist’s woozy, poetic way of drawing up heavy surrealistic imagery and making it seem as welcoming as the cool side of a pillow on a sweaty summer’s night. Of course most of that should be credited to Mark Kozelek’s disarming vocals, which for “Lemon Balm” is elevated by a guesting Petra Haden.
Writing an entire song about an uncomfortable sounding encounter with a fan is exactly the kind of thing we’d expect from Sun Kil Moon, as is the accompanying black-and-white music video which features fishing, sandwiches and cats.
