“What Will” Devendra Banhart Do Next?

    The first reaction to “What Will We Be”, Devendra Banhart’s most recent contribution to his cultish following, is that it holds a distinct clarity that past albums have lacked. Unlike “Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon”, “What Will We Be” isn’t overwhelmed with instrumental-experimentation (though not a bad thing) but is arguably Banhart’s most “calm” album yet.

    In the past, the hippy wack-job, Banhart, has played around with different sounds based on whoever he, at the time, brought into his band. New to his trip-folk, rock band is producer Paul Butler, lead in U.K. band, The Bees. “What Will We Be”, with the help of Butler and former members from album “Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon”, has become Banhart’s first real “radio-friendly” sound, if you can even say that.

    Throughout the album, an arangement of freak-folk, rock, and funky beats are put together to create the lucid Banhart that most know and/or love. Starting off with semi-heavy bass and acoustic-esque beats, the album almost tries to sooth the audience (as Banhart would do). Half way through, with songs like “Baby” and “Chin Chin & Muck Muck”, which he also debuted at live shows in San Diego, he lulls the tone down to a subtle whisper, as to push an attempt to get “deep” with the audience, which he only half accomplishes. Rittled with the occasional trippy folk that he’s known for, the rest of “What Will We Be” is layered over with Banhart’s version of reggae and bluesy-rock sounding tunes.

    When it comes down to it, “What Will We Be” was a fairly decent album compared to what he’s done in the past, although, I do miss Banhart’s sense of crazy when it comes to music.

Label: Reprise Records