Dear Nora is one of the most beloved bands from Portland in my rankings. Their mixture of sounds and genres is admirable; no album sounds the same. My favorite of all their albums is Mountain Rock, released in May 2004. 

The album is so dreary and beautiful. I can barely explain the feeling it gives me. It’s like a deep, heavy feeling in my chest. In an interview with Bandcamp, when asked how she would explain what the album is about, singer Katy Davidson stated, “specifically what comes to mind are feelings of bliss and awe, and then the dark side of that extreme is horror and terror. From a personal angle, I listen to Mountain Rock and realize that a lot of those songs are about a very specific breakup.” 

Davidson’s vocals are what really bring this album together for me. The lyrics are great, but her voice is really what I love about Mountain Rock. It’s eerie and pretty, and mixed with the slow instrumentals, it’s the perfect sound. 

The album starts with one of my favorite songs, “The Lonesome Border, Pt. 1.” This track is a wonderful introduction to the album. The first thing the listener hears is peaceful guitar picking, which is so beautiful. The strumming is slow and soft, and it’s super satisfying to hear. It really sets the tone for the rest of the song—calming and almost sad.

Skipping to the third track on the album, “Loose” is an awfully dreary sounding song. The only way I can describe it is uncanny. Davidson’s voice, once again, is so eerie and makes for a sound I’ve never heard before. A little more than halfway through the song, we’re met with loud guitar. This is hands down the best part of the song; Davidson is so clever with her instrumentals, and they compliment her voice so well.

My favorite song of the whole album has got to be “Make It Real.” The way Davidson harmonizes with herself is gorgeous. Towards the end of the song, it becomes a little unhinged, with vocals overlapping each other in the best way. I feel like this track is the best example of how incredible the vocals and instrumentals are. 

This album is perfect for a long car ride or just laying in bed. It’s such a calm and slow album, with not a single bad song. If you enjoy listening to Starry Cat, Florist or Whatever, Dad, I recommend giving this album a chance.