Are You My Mother? (album) explained

Are You My Mother?
Type:studio
Artist:Kathryn Calder
Cover:Areyoumymotheralbumcover.jpg
Border:yes
Released:June 29, 2010
Genre:Indie Rock
Length:36:09
Producer:Colin 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".

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

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".[5]

Track listing

SongWriter(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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: McLaughlin. John. The Province Playlist featured artist: Kathryn Calder. The Province. 28 July 2010.
  2. News: Devlin. Mike. The New Pornographers Together again. The Times Colonist. 6 July 2010. 28 April 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100603043537/http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/music/Pornographers%20Together%20again/2960667/story.html. 3 June 2010. dead.
  3. News: Marchand . Francois . For Kathryn Calder, home is where your mom is . 5 August 2010 . . 3 August 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100805055021/http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Kathryn%2BCalder%2Bhome%2Bwhere%2Byour/3352006/story.html . 5 August 2010 . live .
  4. Web site: Ash. Amanda. Are You My Mother?. https://archive.today/20130115091548/http://www.exclaim.ca/musicreviews/generalreview.aspx?csid1=146&csid2=850&fid1=48358. dead. 15 January 2013. Exclaim!. 28 July 2010.
  5. News: Marchand. François. Victoria's Calder soars in solo. https://archive.today/20130204095132/http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/Victoria+Calder+soars+solo/3357473/story.html. dead. 4 February 2013. 5 August 2010. Vancouver Sun. 4 August 2010.