Falling Down a Mountain

Falling Down a Mountain, released in 2010, represents a pivotal moment for Tindersticks, marking their second album following a significant lineup change and a brief hiatus. Recorded primarily at Stuart Staples' own studio, Le Chien Chanceux in France, the album leans into a more collaborative, 'band-in-a-room' feel compared to their earlier, more rigid orchestrations. The record is notable for its integration of diverse influences, from the soul-tinged 'Harmony Around My Table' to the experimental, jazz-inflected title track. The inclusion of Mary Margaret O'Hara on 'Peanuts' is a highlight, bringing an avant-folk sensibility to the band's chamber-pop foundations. Critics noted that while it retains the band's hallmark melancholy, there is a warmth and rhythmic curiosity here that distinguishes it from the icy precision of their 90s output. It stands as a testament to the band's ability to evolve their cinematic sound without losing the intimate, literary quality of Staples' songwriting.