Are You My Mother? (album)

Are You My Mother?
Studio album by
Kathryn Calder
ReleasedJune 29, 2010
GenreIndie Rock
Length36:09
LabelFile Under: Music
ProducerColin Stewart

Are You My Mother? is a 2010 album released by Canadian musician Kathryn Calder. It is Calder's debut solo album. She had previously released records as a member of Immaculate Machine and The New Pornographers.

Background

The album was named after the children's book with the same name.[1] It was recorded when Calder was caring for her sick mother, and the project was put on hold when her mother died.[2] A feature in Victoria's Times Colonist noted that the album features her mother's "spirit and influence, but not the sadness associated with her death".[2]

Recording

The album was recorded in Calder's family home in Victoria, British Columbia. After touring with The New Pornographers for three years, Calder began work on the album.[3] Since she missed home and was caring for her mother, she set up a home studio with producer Colin Stewart.[3] New Pornographer bandmates Todd Fancey, Kurt Dahle, Neko Case, and members of Ladyhawk and Frog Eyes play on the album.[4]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
The A.V. ClubB+[7]
The Montreal Gazette[8]
Pitchfork Media(6.2/10)[6]
PopMatters[9]

Amanda Ash of Exclaim! praised the album as "melodically diverse and incredibly easy to sink into" and wrote that the songs are "perfectly manicured soundscapes".[4] François Marchand of the Vancouver Sun gave the album a favorable review, stating that it is a "fine and poignant indie-pop record".[10]

Track listing

Song Writer(s) Length
"Slip Away" 4:47
"Low" 4:08
"Castor and Pollux" 2:56
"Arrow" 2:52
"If You Only Knew" 3:15
"Follow Me Into the Hills" 3:27
"Down the River" 3:51
"Day Long Past Its Prime" 3:01
"So Easily" 4:13
"All It Is" 3:39

References

  1. ^ McLaughlin, John. "The Province Playlist featured artist: Kathryn Calder". The Province. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  2. ^ a b Devlin, Mike (28 April 2010). "The New Pornographers Together again". The Times Colonist. Archived from the original on 3 June 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  3. ^ a b Marchand, Francois (3 August 2010). "For Kathryn Calder, home is where your mom is". The Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 5 August 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  4. ^ a b Ash, Amanda. "Are You My Mother?". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  5. ^ Hoffman, K. Ross. "Are You My Mother?". Allmusic. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  6. ^ Raber, Rebecca. "Are You My Mother?". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 15 August 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  7. ^ Heisler, Steve. "Are You My Mother?". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 15 August 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  8. ^ Dunlevy, T'cha (12 August 2010). "New music Aug. 12, 2010". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  9. ^ Conaton, Chris (13 August 2010). "Kathryn Calder: Are You My Mother?". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 16 August 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  10. ^ Marchand, François (4 August 2010). "Victoria's Calder soars in solo". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2010.