III by Espers
2009 release from the Neo-Psychedelic Folk trio. After what seems to be an interminably long gap and born into an inextricably changed world, Espers III walks among us, finally and finely. It’s not as if Espers completely disappeared following their acclaimed first and second albums and tours. They played the odd show here and there but with time and focus given to Meg Baird’s solo album Dear Companion, The Valerie Project project and Helena Espvall’s collaborations with Masaki Batoh and others, not to mention the launching and flight of Greg Weeks’ Language of Stone label, three years passed like a day or two in the life of Espers. Picking up the threads with ease, Espers III was intended to be an aural reversal of the layered sound of II.
The Real Feel by Spiral Stairs
After a five-year absence, Pavement guitarist and Preston School Of Industry mainman SPIRAL STAIRS (Scott Kannberg) returns with a heart-on-sleeve (but occasionally tongue-in-cheek) songcycle about his complicated personal life. Spiral maintains his trademark melodic whoops and Flying Nun guitar licks, but overlays a layer of melancholy and wisdom, as well as a touch of Peter Green blues. Alert listeners will also spot Richard Thompson, Captain Beefheart, and The Died Pretty. The album was recorded in Australia with a diverse crew of talented people, including members of the Posies, Gersey, Ian Moore and others. It was mixed in Seattle with Jon Auer (Posies , Big Star). Spiral is assembling a new touring band including former members of Preston School Of Industry and others, and will be performing the new album worldwide in 2009 and 2010.
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