Devendra Banhart
Cripple Crow
XL/Shock

This album practically reeks of hemp and lanolin, such is the hippy ethos infused onto this recording. Not looking to break the mould of his successful releases last year, Cripple Crow continues the crooner's love affair with animal mythology, witty lyrics, stripped back folk ramblings and clever guitar plucking.

Broaching topics from war to ethnicity with his own unique look at the world, Cripple Crow is a snapshot of a bizarre world, the kind of place that would probably freak Willy Wonka out. The music pace is usually a meander, but interest is kept throughout this twenty plus track epic with an expanded orchestration thanks to Banhart's hippy comrades Vetiver.

While it is a solid demonstration of folk bliss, the standout track, 'I Feel Like A Child' takes the tempo up a notch for some catchy pop backing a perfect example of Banhart's lovable, lyrical madness.