Rejoicing in the Hands

Released in 2004 on Michael Gira's Young God Records, Rejoicing in the Hands served as the breakthrough for Devendra Banhart and the 'Freak Folk' movement. Following his more fragmented debut, this album benefited from improved production values while maintaining a strictly minimalist aesthetic. The record is primarily composed of Banhart's intricate nylon-string guitar work and his distinctive vocal delivery, which critics frequently compared to Marc Bolan and Tiny Tim. A pivotal moment in the album is the title track, featuring 1960s folk legend Vashti Bunyan, effectively linking Banhart to the lineage of British psychedelic folk. The album's lyrical themes are heavily indebted to surrealism and naturalism, often personifying elements of the landscape. It remains a cornerstone of the 'New Weird America' subgenre, praised for its ability to feel both avant-garde and deeply traditional.