Rating: NNN
According to the duo, Mazzy Star took 17 years between their last album and Seasons Of Your Day because they just “didn’t feel like” releasing any of the music they were working on. For unknown reasons, they now do feel like releasing some music, and it sounds pretty much exactly like everything else they’ve ever done. Nevertheless, their peculiar brand of woozy narcotic Americana always had a timeless quality that, thankfully, persists.
Truthfully, it’s almost comforting that they’re such a time capsule. As we feel about the Ramones, we’d all be pretty disappointed if Mazzy Star suddenly sounded like a totally different band. Hope Sandoval’s whispered vocals are still as evocative as ever, as is the band’s eerie minimalist take on country and blues. As far as comeback albums go, Seasons Of Your Day doesn’t disappoint, but few songs truly stand out. Diehard fans might argue that Mazzy Star are more about mood than hit singles, but even just one hooky chorus would help make this good album great.
Top track: Common Burn
Mazzy Star play the Danforth Music Hall November 16.
