(Hardly Art/Stomp)

Seattle folk outfit live on through compilation

Carissa’s Wierd existed from 1995 until 2003, releasing three full-lengths in that time. Several songs from those albums are collected here, as well as a few odds and ends from other releases. The name should be familiar to Band Of Horses fans, as that band was founded by Carissa’s Wierd members Mat Brooke and Ben Bridwell (Brooke later left Band Of Horses). The similarity between the two bands isn’t overly extensive apart from the simple aesthetic similarity of Americana-infused indie rock. It’s also worth noting that Bridwell’s role in this band wasn’t a songwriting one. The combined vocals of Brooke and Jenn Ghetto are the highlight of the band’s melancholic, quiet style, quite the opposite from the bombastic catharsis that elevated Band Of Horses. Ghetto’s voice has a restrained frostiness that’s almost reminiscent of Portishead’s Beth Gibbons. Their sound has a low-key, pastoral wholesomeness, touched up with flourishes of strings. Low Budget Slow Motion Soundtrack Song For The Leaving Scene is a good indicator of the sound that follows, but tracks like Die inject some energy and drive into what is a very mellow album. The Ghetto/Brooke combination really shines on You Should Be Hated Here, Phantom Fireworks, Sympathy Bush... most of the tracks, really. This is a fairly decent batch of songs that, though not particularly exciting, are melodically strong and soundly arranged. At 70 minutes this is a fairly substantial document of a band that fans of Band Of Horses and like-minded acts should enjoy.

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MICHAEL PINCOTT

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