There Is No One What Will Take Care of You

Will Oldham's debut album under the name Palace Brothers began a peculiar odyssey into the worlds of old-school rustic Appalachia and indie rock. The recording is primitive, echoing the sounds found on Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music. The playing is imperfect, sounding like a group of amateurs seated around the kitchen table, indifferent to the results, banjo notes wandering past unpolished harmonies. Oldham's love is for both old-time country melodies and old-time recorded sounds. He attempts to capture both with the haunted simplicity of "Long Before," "I Tried to Stay Healthy for You," and the gloriously ramshackle "O Lord Are You in Need?" The title cut breaks from much of the sound and concept of the album, adding a doomsday keyboard to the loose, endearing vocals. This music isn't meant for everyone. It's weird and idiosyncratic and sounds like it comes from a distant era. Oldham's voice breaks wherever it does. However, those willing to make the leap of faith should find much of it endearing.