Are You My Mother?

Are You My Mother? is a 2010 album released by Canadian musician Kathryn Calder. It is Calder's debut solo album. She had previously released records as a member of Immaculate Machine and The New Pornographers.


Background


The album was named after the children's book with the same name. It was recorded when Calder was caring for her sick mother, and the project was put on hold when her mother died. A feature in Victoria's Times Colonist noted that the album features her mother's "spirit and influence, but not the sadness associated with her death".




Recording


The album was recorded in Calder's family home in Victoria, British Columbia. After touring with The New Pornographers for three years, Calder began work on the album. Since she missed home and was caring for her mother, she set up a home studio with producer Colin Stewart. New Pornographer bandmates Todd Fancey, Kurt Dahle, Neko Case, and members of Ladyhawk and Frog Eyes play on the album.




Reception


Amanda Ash of Exclaim! praised the album as "melodically diverse and incredibly easy to sink into" and wrote that the songs are "perfectly manicured soundscapes". François Marchand of the Vancouver Sun gave the album a favorable review, stating that it is a "fine and poignant indie-pop record".






Professional ratings


Allmusic
Pitchfork Media 
The AV Club (B+)
The Montreal Gazette 
PopMatters 


Track listing


Song Writer(s) Length
"Slip Away" 4:47
"Low" 4:08
"Castor and Pollux" 2:56
"Arrow" 2:52
"If You Only Knew" 3:15
"Follow Me Into the Hills" 3:27
"Down the River" 3:51
"Day Long Past its Prime" 3:01
"So Easily" 4:13
"All it Is" 3:39