Customer Reviews

Only as the Day Is Long

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I can't believe I'm the first to review this terrific record. I learned about this singer/songwriter from a newspaper article on the most recent Austin SXSW music festival, where Sera's music apparently made quite an impression. She has a beautiful voice, her songs are first rate, and the production is appropriately spare. The tunes grabbed me immediately, but better yet, their appeal grew with subsequent listens. For me, the lyrics of "Baker Lake" especially hit home, because I used to live not far from there. I wish Sera a long and happy career, and look forward to the continuing maturation of her voice and songs. If Amazon's song samples here are too brief to convince anyone, please Google her name, and on her website you can listen to several complete songs from her two solo albums. By the way, I also hope folks will listen to "Everything All the Time," the superb first release by Band of Horses, on which Sera played drums.

Gorgeous record. Sera Cahoone has a hypnotic, engaging voice that should be heard by more people.

In my experience , an artists 2nd release has a tough time holding up to their 1st. The material on 1st albums has usually been around longer and worked over with a fine tooth comb live before recording. 2nd releases , especially right after being signed by a label, tend to be rushed, and overproduced. Sera has soundly rebuked the sophomore jynx. I LOVED her debut. It has'nt been far from my CD player since I first listened to it. I LOVE "only as the day is long" EVEN MORE. Her voice seems stronger, as if she's gaining more confidence in her own ability, but it still retains the achingly beautiful vulnerability of her first. The songs are still well crafted, with melodies that take unexpected directions. Her playing even sounds like she's more comfortable. Sub- Pop found her a co-producer (Zack Reinig) that did'nt try to change her sound, but manages to bring out the best of her abilities and the bands. Jason Kardong on steel guitar brings that "high lonesome sound" I like in my alt/country. Superb work by Jeff Fielder on electric/banjo/dobro too. Both played on her first. While Sera's a fine drummer in her own right , perhaps bringing Jason Merculief in on drums freed her up a bit. Outstanding fiddle work on 5 tunes by Erica Johanson also. This is a MUST HAVE for anyone who's into alt/country. There is a depth to each song that reveals added dimensions every time I listen. Sera Cahoone should be on everyones BUY NOW list. Music , of any genre, just does'nt get any better than this.

I did not enjoy Sera's album the first few listens. Like Gillian Welch, her voice and style took some time before I felt really comfortable. Now I love the album. In fact, I'm here to purchase her first album.

I have very favorite singer/songwriters which include Bjork, Suzanne Vega, Sade, Lauryn Hill, Natalie Merchant, and Sting. I'll add "Over The Rhine" to that because Karin Bergquist's voice makes me swoon also. Sera has become my #2 after Bjork. I cannot overstate enough that Country-western is not a favorite of mine. I have tried many times to get into it but just couldn't. But when I saw a picture of Sera in the Folio Weekly in Jacksonville, FL I thought "She looks like she does my kind of music." I did not know what she sung. And then I ordered "Only as the Day is Long" from SubPop (Independent Record label Sera is signed with. You should buy her CD's from them instead). I was surprised that it was country-western and even more surprised that I was so attracted to every track. I could not wait to order her Self Entitled CD from SubPop. When I listened to this one I was "done". Sera has captured my heart. Her music is mellow and contemplative, yet pure, attractive, and heart-grabbing. I am looking forward to her next CD. It is a dream of mine to see her in a concert alongside Suzanne Vega and Natalie Merchant.