Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon
Devendra Banhart · 2007
71 min · 16 tracks · folk music
A whimsical blend of folk, rock, and Latin influences enveloping listeners in lush, dreamlike soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Seahorse — This track showcases Banhart's distinctive vocal delivery over a sprawling arrangement that merges psychedelia with folk elements, embodying the album's adventurous spirit.
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Carmensita — With its infectious groove and playful lyrics, this song captures Banhart's ability to blend various cultural influences while maintaining an essence of whimsy.
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So Long Old Bean — This track presents a poignant farewell imbued with nostalgia, highlighting Banhart's lyrical depth and melodic sensibility within a concise framework.
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Shabop Shalom — An upbeat celebration of life and love, this song stands as a testament to Banhart's eclecticism and charm, featuring vibrant instrumentation and catchy hooks.
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I Remember — The reflective tone of this track reveals Banhart’s introspective side, combining haunting melodies with evocative imagery that resonates throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's eclectic instrumentation and unique vocal styles create a distinctive sound that stands out in the folk genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a wide range of instrumentation, including acoustic guitars, strings, and percussion, creating a rich tapestry of sound.
- The vocal delivery often shifts between soft, whispery tones and more exuberant, theatrical expressions, adding to the whimsical feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whimsical soundscapes for daydreaming
- long-form exploration of emotions
- playful rhythms for relaxed gatherings
- cathartic moments of introspection
- colorful storytelling through melodies
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, quick tracks
- seek intense, high-energy experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 25, 2007, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon marked Devendra Banhart's fifth studio album. At this point in his career, he was transitioning from the lo-fi acoustic stylings of his early work to a more polished and eclectic sound, following the critical success of his previous album, Cripple Crow.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sufjan Stevens· Iron & Wine· José González
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Cristobal 4:28
- 2 So Long Old Bean 2:53
- 3 Samba Vexillographica 4:46
- 4 Seahorse 8:01
- 5 Bad Girl 4:45
- 6 Seaside 4:33
- 7 Shabop Shalom 4:36
- 8 Tonada Yanomaminista 2:53
- 9 Rosa 5:05
- 10 Saved 5:31
- 11 Lover 3:41
- 12 Carmensita 4:47
- 13 The Other Woman 3:47
- 14 Freely 4:56
- 15 I Remember 4:23
- 16 My Dearest Friend 2:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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