Cargo Records

My Life In Rooms

Combining elements of slowcore, alt.country chamber pop and electronica, 'My Life In Rooms', the second album from the Canadian songwriter Barzin, is evocative on many levels.

Its warm autumnal tones conjure up images of waves ebbing back and forth, its slow pulse creating a sense of intimacy whilst remaining expansive and cinematic in scope. Whilst the melancholic nature of Barzin's music is clearly influenced by artists such as Tindersticks, Sparklehorse and Red House Painters, it also shares a common sensibility with that of M Ward, Nina Nastasia, Cat Power, Arap Strap and Smog. Barzin's songs also have an ambience and richness that can be found on some of Constellation Records more languorous moments. The central contributors to this album are Tony Dekker (Great Lake Swimmers) and Suzanne Hancock, but a number of other musicians played important roles. Don Kerr, Sandro Perri (Polmo Polpo), Tamara Williamson, Lewis Melville, and Matt Verta-Ray (Heavy Trash) all helped define and shape the sound of the album. The lovely string arrangements were scored by Karen Graves who also arranged Hayden's Skyscraper National Park. The track 'Acoustic guitar Phase' is a cover of a song by fellow Canadians The Dears.