Capsules: Victor Bermon, Thee More Shallows
Victor Bermon Arriving at Night
Bermon's full-length is airplane music for the soul: soft, lilting compositions comprised of acoustic guitars, piano, synths, found noise and electronic percussion that walk the line between ambient folk and opening credits majesty. "Farewell Lunch for Laura" opens with an off time back beat and snare play that quietly pulses through the rest of the song's subtle horn and string whispers, creating an atmosphere that lingers for the entire album. If Bill Evans-inspired instrumental tracks that work with layers of both real and produced sounds seems appealing to you, you will no doubt enjoy this record.
Victor Bermon "Farewell Lunch for Laura"
Hefty Records
Thee More Shallows Book of Bad Breaks
There didn't need to be 13 songs on this, Thee More Shallows' second full-length, first on new label, Anticon. They're still doing what they do best, producing Weezer-ish (think Matt Sharp) synthesizer melodies that carry songs atop garage band drums and mountains of feedback. We're not quite sure why the album ended up so long, when it's painfully clear that there are really just 8 or so tracks, but we are willing to forgive as long as they keep writing songs like "The Dutch Fist", a thumping tune about losing your identity to The Man. "The White Mask" clocks in at 6:40, oddly long for the group, and at track number 11 (and still sort of operating on the outsider in the world theme), we wonder if TMS wanted to turn a concept album loose?
