Damon & Naomi - More Sad Hits

Misery loves company?

Reissued on their own 20-20-20 label, More Sad Hits is the lovingly remastered and carefully packaged debut from half of Galaxie 500, Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang. Following the dissolution of their previous group, the couple spent a year in the musical hinterland. They were coaxed back into action by Galaxie producer Kramer, who also funded the album and released it on his Shimmy Disc label in 1992.

The producer’s faith was rewarded; More Sad Hits remains an enchanting listen. Many records of its ilk and era have aged badly, buried under artificial synthesisers and cheesy drum sounds, but time has been kind to this debut. Damon & Naomi’s is a dreamy but somewhat eerie sound, Naomi’s voice providing a cut-glass counterpart to the musical bittersweet swirl. There’s an evident progression from the Galaxie sound, with influences derived from European folk music, jazz and standards (the closing cover of the French ballad This Changing World acts as a languidly beautiful coda to the album).

After seemingly slipping from the critical radar for some time, this reissue should remind music fans of a highlight of early 90s indie music.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

20-20-20 | 06

Reviewed by Jamie Atkins
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