Aug 21, 2011

Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd Hoped-Moonface

It's there in the title. It is what it is and yet it's not. It's so much more. Spencer Krug (as Moonface) has crafted a gem of an album, one built on constant lines and pulsing builds. It all seems so simple, yet it unfolds and explodes with never ending delight. This 5 song cycle is proof yet again, if it was ever needed, that there are few musicians or songwriters on this very earth that can touch the talents that Spencer Krug possesses.

"Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd Hoped" was singularly written and recorded by Krug, with the mixing done by Jace Lasek (The Besnard Lakes) at his Breakglass Studios in Montreal. The vocals are all Krug's, bar for help from Camilla Wynne Ingr on "Fast Peter". All five songs are between 6 and 8 minutes long, they are patient songs with slow build ups and long burning fuses. They are hypnotic and even somewhat drone like in parts. But they are also melodic and finely tuned. Like all Krug compositions there is an underlying darker tone and also a cryptic nature. There is poetry and beauty, even if it is melancholy and slightly disturbed. But hey, that's probably the best kind. Opening song "Return To The Violence Of The Ocean Floor" is a trembling, quivering, stalking beast of a song. Little organ flourishes keep raising the stakes as Spencer sings of his crumbling and disappearing spirit. The theme of aquatics resumes in "Whale Song (Song Instead Of A Kiss), an ominous tune that begins darkly and gets darker. The lyrics are dark as well, but truly poetic. "And I could see you've made a garden from the flowers growing out of my remains". When the organ goes into overdrive at around the 6 minute mark my heart skips a beat. Middle song "Fast Peter" is not only the most pop friendly song on the album it is also the least cryptic lyrically. It apparently was taken directly from a conversation Spencer had with a friend named Peter who was leaving town to pursue the girl he loves. It's basically a love story and a true one at that. "Shit-Hawk In The Snow" ups the tempo with a jet propelled melodic line that is both trance like and compelling. "Watching seagulls in the blizzard makes me see how much I miss her". We close with "Loose Heart=Loose Plan", a slow combustible song that establishes a groove and doesn't let go until the end. This is quite simply, a great record. All five songs are compelling and deserve your undivided attention. There is heart and beauty here. I advise you to explore.

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