Are You My Mother? (album)
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.
| Are You My Mother? | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | June 29, 2010 |
| Genre | Indie Rock |
| Length | 36:09 |
| Label | File Under: Music |
| Producer | Colin Stewart |
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
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]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [6] |
| The A.V. Club | B+[7] |
| The Montreal Gazette | [8] |
| Pitchfork Media | (6.2/10)[9] |
| PopMatters | [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
- McLaughlin, John. "The Province Playlist featured artist: Kathryn Calder". The Province. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ash, Amanda. "Are You My Mother?". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- 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.
- Hoffman, K. Ross. "Are You My Mother?". Allmusic. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
- Heisler, Steve. "Are You My Mother?". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 15 August 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
- Dunlevy, T'cha (12 August 2010). "New music Aug. 12, 2010". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
- Raber, Rebecca. "Are You My Mother?". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 15 August 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- Conaton, Chris (13 August 2010). "Kathryn Calder: Are You My Mother?". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 16 August 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.