Thing of the Past

Vetiver | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 13, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gnomonsong
• ASIN: B00160ANLE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,242 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2008 covers album from the critically-adored Alternative band. Two years after the highly acclaimed To Find Me Gone, Andy Cabic and Vetiver return with an album of old songs, all hidden treasures, entitled Thing Of The Past. Think of it as Cabic's fully realized mix tape to the world: a collection of some of his favorite songs from some of his favorite records but presented, sequenced, and in this case performed by Cabic himself, with a little help from his friends far and wide. Produced by Thom Monahan and Cabic, Thing Of The Past was recorded in 2007 in Sacramento and Los Angeles. The basic tracks were done live in the studio, with the resultant record clearly showcasing a tight-knit band of hugely talented musicians. Gnomonsong.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars covers?, August 25, 2008

By 

Jeffrey L. Giltenboth "the Caveman" (Asheville, NC, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Thing of the Past [Vinyl] (Vinyl)

Who knew. I mean really who knew. Most often cover records come about in two ways. One is as a tribute to an artist, though this type is usually a compilation. The other is to fulfill a contract obligation while the artist is walking out the door. In either of those instances a quick perusal of the track listing shows immediately that the songs aren't originals. If I hadn't read about this LP, I wouldn't have known it was a covers album. Maybe that's why it fits into neither of the norms and is also why it's easy to accept the versions. With the exception of The Swimming Song that I knew, not from Wainwright but from the New Riders of the Purple Sage, I wasn't familiar with any one these tunes notwithstanding a rather large record/CD collection. Too many probably to know what all the tracks on all the albums are. A couple seemed a little familiar when listening but not enough to have welded an image in my brain.
I may have bought this if only for the jacket which is (either ironically or intentionally)loaded with old record covers. I did buy it in vinyl to enhance the attractiveness of the jacket. A jacket as busy as this one is loses a lot when reduced to CD jacket size.
Maybe because they are covers, but there is not a bad track on this disc. In fact, this probably is Vetiver's best disc to date. Obviously, it matters not that the buyer wouldn't know the songs are covers.
The only downside, as is often the case with covers lps, there is a dearth of information about the originals and why they were choosen for inclusion on this album.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing album of covers, September 13, 2008

By 

Eric E. Miller "skyway80" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thing Of The Past (Audio CD)

I saw these guys open up and back up Gary Louris. I was instantly hooked on them and bought both of their albums that night. I am even more amazed with Thing of the Past, which might be my favorite for this year. You'd think this was album of originals the way it is played with great emotion and subtlety. I love it so much that I've looked into most of the artists that they cover. It's mellow, lots of acoustic guitars,but very catchy and rootsy. Sounds like it could have come out in the late sixties, early seventies. Check it out and don't hesitate to look into the other artists such as Bobby Charles, Loudon Wainwright, Ronnie Lane, Michael Hurley, Townes Van Zandt, and Matthews Southern Comfort.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars unturned stone, June 22, 2008

By 

Brainy Smurf "Brainy Smurf" (Macungie, Pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thing of the Past (Audio CD)

The band Vetiver is a group of true musicians; you will find no computer junkies here. They are one of the best kept secrets and truly fantastic to go see live. With Thing of the Past, the audiophilic group have chosen lost american treasures(available on vinyl only , as I understand) and given them all the Vetiver touch. You will not be dissappointed.