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April 18, 2005
My lifters are tired of lifting, my smeller is tired of sniffing.
John Fell Ryan, Dan Hougland, Calder Martin, Macrae Semans, and Caitlin Cook make exactly the kind of music that they want to make. That might read like a semi-tautology, but accomplishing something like that is a lot more difficult than it would seem: when I listen to Excepter's music, it doesn't sound to me like the band is just crafting formless and meandering jams, but that they're perfectly synthesizing the disparate noises, beats, and conjunctions of sound that each member of Excepter wants to hear (hears in his/her head). Their music is warm, organic, and inviting; it sounds like it's fun to make.
'Shattered Skull' is one of the more mournful pieces on last year's insanely good "KA". It starts with a thick vocal fog, cut only by the occasional emergence of Caitlin's high, wailing moans. If anyone has heard (and enjoyed) Black Dice's equally gorgeous 'Miles of Smiles' piece, then you'll love the percussion on 'Shattered Skull', which has the same gravel/dried leaves/angry rattlesnake feel to it. In the latter part of the song, Caitlin sings this crazy elongated vocal hook that complements all the acute angles the rest of the band is spinning around her, and it's just so, so good. The whole record is full of moments like that (which, I have to say a few random things about- Excepter's cursive logo: A+, the cover art for "KA" is AMAZING, and the fact that they (maybe?) named it after the snake character from Jungle Book is CLASSIC).
Anyway, Excepter is releasing a new record, "Throne", on Load Records, April 26th. Order it and then listen to it and then cherish it. "KA" is available (along with everything else Excepter-related) from Fusetron (these people are super-nice), or Insound (the "KA" CD, or the Vacation/Forget Me 12"). Either way, you can't lose- all of Excepter's stuff is out of control great. Also, be sure to stop by the band's website, since they offer recordings of their live shows as free streams (currently streams 19 and 09, both of which are stellar).
Posted by matt at April 18, 2005 08:00 AM
Comments
Been doing homework listening to The Heart Beat from Throne.
They are either mental of fucking genius.
Either way it got to me, glad i'm not the only one.
Cheers
20jazzfunkstuart
Posted by: 20jazzfunkgreats at April 27, 2005 11:20 AM
Stuart, I envy you- I haven't gotten a copy of Throne yet. Hopefully I'll hear it soon- but yeah, they are crazy as hell, aren't they? I'm looking forward to seeing them live, at some point. Thanks for stopping by-
Posted by: Kevin at April 27, 2005 12:54 PM