Childish Prodigy

Kurt Vile's previous two albums, Constant Hitmaker (2008) and God Is Saying This to You... (2009), were primarily composed of lo-fi home recordings, recorded over five years from 2003 to 2008. Childish Prodigy, however, marked Vile's first attempt at crafting a cohesive, studio-based album. Vile noted, "It was more involved than anything I had done and it was the first time I worked on something as a whole actual album, as a single piece. The other ones were compiled." Vile recorded the album with producer Jeff Zeigler, prior to signing to Matador Records, and noted, "The time I went into the studio with Jeff [Zeigler], I knew he was into more far-out stuff and kind of crazy gear. It was also more laid back. I didn't have a label knocking on the door to get it done or anything like that, and so we got to know each other and our styles." Despite being predominately a studio-based album, Childish Prodigy features two home recordings, "Blackberry Song" and "Overnite Religion" recorded with bandmate and frequent collaborator Adam Granduciel. ==Writing and composition==

Regarding the album's overall aesthetic, and the increased involvement of backing band The Violators, Vile noted, "It's way more of a full-band-style arrangement, and I think at times it gets a little darker. I think it's gonna be more of a fall kind of feel, with some pretty psychedelic rock numbers that are pretty catchy, then just some good rock songs. [...] There's definitely a lot more electricity, a lot more rock. [...] It's pretty raw, though, and there's two home recordings on it. I actually said in one interview that it's my Loveless, but I only said that in comparison to my more stripped-down home recordings. It's all relatively simple, even if there are a lot more tracks on each song." == Track listing ==

All songs written by Kurt Vile and arranged by the Violators except where noted. ==Personnel==

Kurt Vile & the Violators • Kurt Vile – vocals, guitars, resonator guitar (1 and 6), 12-string guitar (3 and 7), space guitar (3), piano (1, 5, 6, 7 and 8), drum machine (4), Korgs (4), banjo (7), electronics (8), trumpet (8), sampler (9), synth (9), harmonica (9) • Adam Granduciel – electric guitars (9), baritone guitar (1 and 6), fuzz guitar (4), ambient 12-string guitar (8), tremolo guitar (9), string synth (3), sampler (5), electronics (8), drums (8), percussion (8), lap percussion (5) • Jesse Trbovich – fuzz guitar (1 and 6), baritone guitar (9), saxophone (4), vibrato guitars (10) • Mike Zanghi – drums and percussion (1 and 6) Honorary Alumni: • "Cousin" Dan Bower – drums (4), snare drum (3), percussion (3) • Michael Johnson – Korg MS-10 (4), caveman drums (9) Additional musicians • Jeff Zeigler – Korg Mono/Poly (4) • Mikele Edwards – backing vocals (8) Recording personnel • Jeff Zeigler – producer (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9), recording, mixing • Kurt Vile – producer, recording (3 and 5) • Adam Granduciel – producer (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9), recording (3 and 5) • Jesse Trbovich – producer (1, 4, 6 and 9) • Mike Zanghi – producer (1 and 6) • Michael Johnson – producer (9) • Tom Cason – additional recording and mixing (3 and 5) • Alan Douches – mastering Artwork • Boyd Shropshire – art design, art direction • Greg Kletsel – art design, art direction • Kurt Vile – art direction • Kellie Jo Tinney – live Violator pictures • Robert Robinson – forest and organ photograph • Tiffany Yoon – Mike Zanghi photograph == References ==