Brooklyn's Broken Circles is one of my current favorite record labels. They have a stable of
interesting artists, many of whom you have seen reviewed here. To wrap up 2015, Broken Circles
released a split record from bands that they have worked with over the course of the year.
This is, supposedly (and optimistically) the first volume of their Everything Melts
Eventually series, which they describe as split 7" records "that are tied together thematically
under the umbrella of winter. They’re Christmas songs for the people who don’t like Christmas songs."
Sounds fine to me, to be honest. I like the idea of new material tied to this time of year, instead of the
umpteenth cover of Little Drummer Boy or whatever.
The first band featured is Bandit, who i have never heard before. Their tune is Flake, a light
pop tune with piano, a nice loping drum beat, and a female voice. It's a peasant little tune.
Savannah’s Triathalon are up next with On The Sofa. It gets a typical Triathalon opening of
slow drum kick and a guitar strummed under a mass of echo. The vocalist is hushed, singing up close
and personal, like he is whispering to you. But it is the guitar part that makes this tune. It is a positively
sublime echo that reverbs and warms. I also like the jazzy bass think that backs it up. Another fine tune
from this trio.
Moving up the coast to South Carolina, Ivadell give us Dog Days. This is a little more rocking
than the previous songs. It's a crisp power pop song, the voice subtle and the guitars chiming brightly
and slowly. Nice.
And finally we have another band i was unfamiliar with, Slow and Steady, who present us with
Your Cold Heart. This band reminds me of Ivadell in that there is a certain mid-1990s feel to their
reverbing guitar pop, but the voice is kind of warbling in a way that reminds me of Songs:Ohia. Then
again, i hear Jason Molina in a lot of things. (Perhaps he is haunting me???)
Overall, this is a nice little single. I hope that Broken Circles can keep the series going. |
