Sharon Van Etten – (it was) because i was in love

A Sharon Van Etten reissue, while only somewhat old and somewhat well known, is still somewhat interesting, as her songs are always haunting and sentimentally vicious. That said, the extra or redone tracks are going to be where it is at for any knowledgeable music fan, and the original songs are very simple and stripped, and probably the better for it.

Beginning (it was) because i was in love with the remastered version of “I Wish I Knew”, which may be the sweetest and youngest sounding song on here, even slightly fuller sounding than on the original. As are the masterfully innocent and movie sounding “Consolation Prize”, and the sad-but-strong “For You”. Though perhaps not as rocking as she has become or as re-invigorating as one needs from a reissue here. Taking things one step further, there is a definite intricacy in “Much More Than That” and a greater ambience in “It’s Not Like”.

The mood is definitely a stormy weather one throughout and the tracks such as “Holding Out” make it seem like the weather is during a mountain sunrise. Sure, you knew Van Etten was a folk-inspired act already, even if you just know the singles, but there is definitely more here than a blatant working day song, there is a desperation.

This all comes to a nice close in the new songs “You Didn’t Really Do That”, which is somewhat bitter and bitter-sweet sounding, as she even turns to the heavens in this song, and “I’m Giving Up On You”, again bitter-sweet sounding.

All in all, (it was) because i was in love is a solid re-issue, varied, slightly boosted at times, and yet intimate, but very similar to the original. Or dramatic as well, too strong sometimes.