Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Beware

Bonnie "Prince" Billy's records slip into your home unnoticed. They creep in, listen after listen, among the walls and remain there for a long time. The time needed for the Prince, with his face of a declining noble, to release a new record in his frenetic activity whose purpose is somewhat unclear.

"Beware" (2009, Domino) is a gentle dance, a nod of the head, a sway. Written with the desire to entertain, to make the spring enjoyable, but with darkness within. With that subtle melancholy that makes it perfect for a train journey while watching the silent world pass by through a window.

Here comes "Beware" with that "You Can't Hurt My Now" and its steel guitar that etches into your ears and, with those xylophone tinkles that embellish it all, makes you dream of Hawaii and its inhabitants; that gives you strength with that wonderful suspended ballad launched into a chorus named "My Life Work"; with that "You Don't Love Me" that would compel you to invite a sweet saloon girl to dance... if there were ever one within reach and in style; that draws you in with the subtle laments of gentle violins - whether they come from the next room or a distant world matters little - of "You Are Lost"; with that subtle melancholy of relaxed tones perfect for a drive with windows rolled down, the sun kissing your face and shirt sleeves rolled up to the elbows, perfect for the notes of "I Don't Belong to Anyone"; with the joyful sound of "I Am Goodbye" that I will never be able to stop singing. Here is "Beware", a companion record, like a lady for the Prince who brings with her a dowry of all the musical instruments possible in this world.

Like a "Harvest" written with the mood of "On The Beach", complete with a cover that pays homage to "Tonight's The Night" and the big German mustache. This is "Beware": the record of this early year that has monopolized my eardrums, soothing my nerves and testing those of my neighbors.