Heavy Rotation: Week Ending October 23, 2009

01. “Get Off The Floor” by The Murder City Devils, (Die Young Stay Pretty.1997)
02. The Chambermaids – Down In The Berries, (Modern Radio.2009)
03. Kurt Vile – Childish Prodigy, (Matador.2009)
04. Daniel Johnston – Is And Always Was, (Eternal Yip Eye Music.2009)
05. Guadalcanal Diary – Walking In The Shadow Of The Big Man, (Elektra.1984)
06. Bear In Heaven – Beast Rest Forth Mouth, (Hometapes.2009)
07. Doomriders – Darkness Come Alive, (Deathwish Music.2009)
08. Let's Active – Cypress, (IRS.1984)
09. Jay Reatard – Watch Me Fall, (Matador.2009)
10. “Surf Solar/New Crossbow” by Fuck Buttons, (ATP.2009)

I discovered Minneapolis noise-popsters back in 2005-2006 when they were known as The Shut-Ins via MySpace. I was struck by their combination of icy guitars, proclivity towards the noisy, and a pop sensibility. In 2006, they released their debut self-titled long player, which came in at #9 on my year-end Top 50 Favorite Albums list. After a bit of a hiaturs, the band expanded to a quartet adding new drummer (Mickey Kahleck) and a second guitarist (Nate Nelson) to the band's core of siblings Neil and Martha Weir.

Down In The Berries is a seven song collection (EP? Mini-LP?) of the same – icy guitars, glorious racket, pop hooks and melodies – but with more depth and texture (no more evident in the stellar title track). Where the debut played it fast-and-punk-y, DITB is a bit slower (variety in tempo) with shards of noise, atmospheric touches (near-ethereal/haunting backing vocals, washes of layered guitars), and an allowance for space. The vocals are better too; Neil and Martha both sing, sharing both lead and backing. All seven tracks are worth talking about, but standouts are the slow-burn, nervey/jittery “The East Place”, the nostalgic “1982”, the poppy “Hotel Islington” (a track that manages to merge Dinosaur Jr with The Go-Betweens), and post-punk-groove-uber-catchy “Lily”.

Note: This is a vinyl only release (does come with a digital download). The packaging is gorgeous (I seriously considered framing it): artwork was designed and screen printed by Wes of Burlesque of North America. It is 2 colors, gold and blue on vellum stock which allows the record to show through the sleeve.



Here is a great article from The Onion AV Club with interview and video.

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